Production of carbon-based oxide and reduced carbon-based oxide on a large scale

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are carbon-based oxide (CBO) materials and reduced carbon-based oxide (rCBO) materials, fabrication processes, and devices with improved performance and a high throughput. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for synthesizing CBO and rCBO materials. Such methods avoid the shortcomings of current synthesizing methods to facilitate facile, high-throughput production of CBO and rCBO materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/354,439, filed Jun. 24, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/510,021, filed May 23, 2017, which applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Provided herein are carbon-based oxide (CBO) materials and reducedcarbon-based oxide (rCBO) materials, fabrication processes, and deviceswith improved performance and a high throughput. In some embodiments,the present disclosure provides materials and methods for synthesizingCBO and rCBO materials. Such methods avoid the shortcomings of currentsynthesizing methods to facilitate facile, high-throughput production ofCBO and rCBO materials.

CBO and rCBO materials have been employed within a variety of productsfor use in several industrial applications. Although chemical reductionmay be the most viable method of synthesizing CBO and rCBO materials ona large scale, the throughput and safety of current chemical reductionmethods prohibit economical, high-throughput production of CBO and rCBOmaterials. As such, there is exists a specific unmet need for a safe,high-throughput means for production of CBO and rCBO materials.

SUMMARY

The instant disclosure provides carbon-based oxide (CBO) and reducedcarbon-based oxide (rCBO) materials, fabrication processes, and deviceswith improved performance. The present disclosure provides materials andmethods for synthesizing CBO and rCBO materials. Such methods avoid theshortcomings of current synthesizing methods to facilitate facile,high-throughput production of CBO and rCBO materials. Features of thesubject matter described herein provide for a method for producing ahigh throughput of CBO and rCBO materials through a low-temperatureprocess, wherein the CBO and rCBO materials exhibit high purities forapplications including but not limited to inkjet printing, screenprinting, printed circuit boards, radio frequency identification chips,smart fabrics, conductive coatings, gravure printing, flexographicprinting, batteries, supercapacitors, electrodes, electromagneticinterference shielding, printed transistors, memory, sensors, large areaheaters, electronics, and energy storage systems.

The present disclosure relates to materials comprising, and methods forproduction of CBO and rCBO materials (e.g., on a large scale). In someembodiments, the CBO material comprises graphite oxide (GO) or grapheneoxide. In some embodiments, the rCBO material comprises reduced graphiteoxide (rGO) or reduced graphene oxide. While these processes or methodsmay be described herein primarily in the context of graphite oxide andreduced graphite oxide, the methods may be used or adapted forproduction or synthesis of any CBO and/or rCBO.

In some embodiments, the characteristic(s) of the graphite feedstock(e.g., physical and chemical properties) may affect the type or qualityof the graphite oxide. In some embodiments, a graphite feedstock mayinclude various grades or purities (e.g., carbon content measured as,for example, weight-percent graphitic carbon (C_(g))), types (e.g.,amorphous graphite (e.g., 60%-85% carbon), flake graphite (e.g., greaterthan 85% carbon) or vein graphite (e.g., greater than 90% carbon)),sizes (e.g., mesh size), shapes (e.g., large flake, medium, flake,powder, or spherical graphite), and origin (e.g., synthetic or natural,such as, for example, natural flake graphite). For example, the meshsize of the graphite may affect the resulting graphite oxide. Mesh sizesmay be converted to size in other dimensions (e.g., microns). Otherexamples of graphite feedstocks are provided elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments the grade of the graphite by weight is about 1% toabout 100%. In some embodiments the grade of the graphite by weight isat least about 1%. In some embodiments the grade of the graphite byweight is at most about 100%. In some embodiments the grade of thegraphite by weight is about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10%, about1% to about 20%, about 1% to about 30%, about 1% to about 40%, about 1%to about 50%, about 1% to about 60%, about 1% to about 70%, about 1% toabout 80%, about 1% to about 90%, about 1% to about 100%, about 5% toabout 10%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% toabout 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% toabout 70%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% toabout 100%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% toabout 40%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% toabout 70%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% toabout 100%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% toabout 50%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% toabout 80%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% toabout 40%, about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% toabout 70%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% toabout 100%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% toabout 70%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 90%, about 40% toabout 100%, about 50% to about 60%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% toabout 80%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% toabout 70%, about 60% to about 80%, about 60% to about 90%, about 60% toabout 100%, about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% toabout 100%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 100%, or about90% to about 100%. In some embodiments the grade of the graphite byweight is about 1%, about 5%, about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about100%.

In some embodiments the carbon content of the graphite by weight isabout 1% to about 100%. In some embodiments the carbon content of thegraphite by weight is at least about 1%. In some embodiments the carboncontent of the graphite by weight is at most about 100%.

In some embodiments the carbon content of the graphite by weight isabout 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 20%,about 1% to about 30%, about 1% to about 40%, about 1% to about 50%,about 1% to about 60%, about 1% to about 70%, about 1% to about 80%,about 1% to about 90%, about 1% to about 100%, about 5% to about 10%,about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%,about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 70%,about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 100%,about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 40%,about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 70%,about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 100%,about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 50%,about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 80%,about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 40%,about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% to about 70%,about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% to about 100%,about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 70%,about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 90%, about 40% to about 100%,about 50% to about 60%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 80%,about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 70%,about 60% to about 80%, about 60% to about 90%, about 60% to about 100%,about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 100%,about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 100%, or about 90% to about100%. In some embodiments the carbon content of the graphite by weightis about 1%, about 5%, about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 100%. In someembodiments, the graphite has a grade or carbon content of less thanabout 100%, 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 85%, 80%,70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, or 1% (e.g., by weight).

In some embodiments the mesh size of the graphite by weight is about 30to about 500. In some embodiments the mesh size of the graphite byweight is at least about 30. In some embodiments the mesh size of thegraphite by weight is at most about 500. In some embodiments the meshsize of the graphite by weight is about 30 to about 50, about 30 toabout 75, about 30 to about 100, about 30 to about 150, about 30 toabout 200, about 30 to about 250, about 30 to about 300, about 30 toabout 350, about 30 to about 400, about 30 to about 450, about 30 toabout 500, about 50 to about 75, about 50 to about 100, about 50 toabout 150, about 50 to about 200, about 50 to about 250, about 50 toabout 300, about 50 to about 350, about 50 to about 400, about 50 toabout 450, about 50 to about 500, about 75 to about 100, about 75 toabout 150, about 75 to about 200, about 75 to about 250, about 75 toabout 300, about 75 to about 350, about 75 to about 400, about 75 toabout 450, about 75 to about 500, about 100 to about 150, about 100 toabout 200, about 100 to about 250, about 100 to about 300, about 100 toabout 350, about 100 to about 400, about 100 to about 450, about 100 toabout 500, about 150 to about 200, about 150 to about 250, about 150 toabout 300, about 150 to about 350, about 150 to about 400, about 150 toabout 450, about 150 to about 500, about 200 to about 250, about 200 toabout 300, about 200 to about 350, about 200 to about 400, about 200 toabout 450, about 200 to about 500, about 250 to about 300, about 250 toabout 350, about 250 to about 400, about 250 to about 450, about 250 toabout 500, about 300 to about 350, about 300 to about 400, about 300 toabout 450, about 300 to about 500, about 350 to about 400, about 350 toabout 450, about 350 to about 500, about 400 to about 450, about 400 toabout 500, or about 450 to about 500. In some embodiments the mesh sizeof the graphite by weight is about 30, about 50, about 75, about 100,about 150, about 200, about 250, about 300, about 350, about 400, about450, or about 500.

In some embodiments, H₂SO₄ (e.g., with a concentration of between about96% H₂SO₄ and 98% H₂SO₄) may be provided in an amount between about 1 ggraphite per 10 mL H₂SO₄ and about 1 g graphite per 50 mL H₂SO₄. Themethod may include providing between about 10 mL H₂SO₄ and 20 mL H₂SO₄,10 mL H₂SO₄ and 30 mL H₂SO₄, 10 mL H₂SO₄ and 40 mL H₂SO₄, 10 mL H₂SO₄and 50 mL H₂SO₄, 20 mL H₂SO₄ and 30 mL H₂SO₄, 20 mL H₂SO₄ and 40 mLH₂SO₄, 20 mL H₂SO₄ and 50 mL H₂SO₄, 30 mL H₂SO₄ and 40 mL H₂SO₄, 30 mLH₂SO₄ and 50 mL H₂SO₄, or 40 mL H₂SO₄ and 50 mL H₂SO₄ per 1 g graphite.The method may include providing greater than or equal to about 10 mLH₂SO₄, 20 mL H₂SO₄, 30 mL H₂SO₄, 40 mL H₂SO₄, or 50 mL H₂SO₄ per 1 ggraphite. The method may include providing less than about 75 mL H₂SO₄,70 mL H₂SO₄, 60 mL H₂SO₄, 50 mL H₂SO₄, 40 mL H₂SO₄, 30 mL H₂SO₄, 20 mLH₂SO₄, or 15 mL H₂SO₄ per 1 g graphite.

In some embodiments, H₂SO₄ (e.g., with a concentration of between about96% H₂SO₄ and 98% H₂SO₄) may be provided in an amount between about 1 ggraphite per 18.4 g H₂SO₄ and about 1 g graphite per 92.0 g H₂SO₄. Themethod may include providing between about 18.4 g H₂SO₄ and 30 g H₂SO₄,18.4 g H₂SO₄ and 40 g H₂SO₄, 18.4 g H₂SO₄ and 50 g H₂SO₄, 18.4 g H₂SO₄and 60 g H₂SO₄, 18.4 g H₂SO₄ and 70 g H₂SO₄, 18.4 g H₂SO₄ and 80 gH₂SO₄, 18.4 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 40 g H₂SO₄, 30 gH₂SO₄ and 50 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 60 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 70 gH₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 80 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 40 gH₂SO₄ and 50 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 60 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 70 gH₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 80 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 40 gH₂SO₄ and 50 g H₂SO₄, 40 g H₂SO₄ and 60 g H₂SO₄, 40 g H₂SO₄ and 70 gH₂SO₄, 40 g H₂SO₄ and 80 g H₂SO₄, 40 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 50 gH₂SO₄ and 60 g H₂SO₄, 50 g H₂SO₄ and 70 g H₂SO₄, 50 g H₂SO₄ and 80 gH₂SO₄, 50 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 60 g H₂SO₄ and 70 g H₂SO₄, 60 gH₂SO₄ and 80 g H₂SO₄, 60 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 70 g H₂SO₄ and 80 gH₂SO₄, 70 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄, 80 g H₂SO₄ and 92.0 g H₂SO₄ per 1 ggraphite. The method may include providing greater than or equal toabout 18.4 g H₂SO₄, 20 g H₂SO₄, 25 g H₂SO₄, 30 g H₂SO₄, 35 g H₂SO₄, 40 gH₂SO₄, 45 g H₂SO₄, 50 g H₂SO₄, 55 g H₂SO₄, 60 g H₂SO₄, 65 g H₂SO₄, 70 gH₂SO₄, 75 g H₂SO₄, 80 g H₂SO₄, 85 g H₂SO₄, 90 g H₂SO₄, or 92.0 g H₂SO₄per 1 g graphite. The method may include providing less than about 140 gH₂SO₄, 130 g H₂SO₄, 120 g H₂SO₄, 110 g H₂SO₄, 100 g H₂SO₄, 95 g H₂SO₄,90 g H₂SO₄, 80 g H₂SO₄, 70 g H₂SO₄, 60 g H₂SO₄, 50 g H₂SO₄, 40 g H₂SO₄,30 g H₂SO₄, or 20 g H₂SO₄ per 1 g graphite.

In some embodiments, KMnO₄ may be provided in an amount between about 1g graphite: 2 g KMnO₄ and about 1 g graphite per 6 g KMnO₄. The methodmay include providing between about 1 g KMnO₄ and 2 g KMnO₄, 1 g KMnO₄and 3 g KMnO₄, 1 g KMnO₄ and 4 g KMnO₄, 1 g KMnO₄ and 5 g KMnO₄, 1 gKMnO₄ and 6 g KMnO₄, 2 g KMnO₄ and 3 g KMnO₄, 2 g KMnO₄ and 4 g KMnO₄, 2g KMnO₄ and 5 g KMnO₄, 2 g KMnO₄ and 6 g KMnO₄, 3 g KMnO₄ and 4 g KMnO₄,3 g KMnO₄ and 5 g KMnO₄, 3 g KMnO₄ and 6 g KMnO₄, 4 g KMnO₄ and 5 gKMnO₄, 4 g KMnO₄ and 6 g KMnO₄, or 5 g KMnO₄ and 6 g KMnO₄ per 1 ggraphite. The method may include providing greater than or equal toabout 1 g KMnO₄, 2 g KMnO₄, 3 g KMnO₄, 4 g KMnO₄, 5 g KMnO₄, or 6 gKMnO₄ per 1 g graphite. The method may include providing less than about9 g KMnO₄, 8 g KMnO₄, 7 g KMnO₄, 6 g KMnO₄, 5 g KMnO₄, 4 g KMnO₄, 3 gKMnO₄, or 2 g KMnO₄ per 1 g graphite.

In some embodiments, H₂O₂ may be provided in an amount of at least about1 mol H₂O₂ per 1 mol KMnO₄. The method may include providing betweenabout 1 mol H₂O₂ and 1.1 mol H₂O₂, 1 mol H₂O₂ and 1.2 mol H₂O₂, 1 molH₂O₂ and 1.3 mol H₂O₂, 1 mol H₂O₂ and 1.4 mol H₂O₂, or 1 mol H₂O₂ and1.5 mol H₂O₂ per 1 mol KMnO₄. The method may include providing greaterthan or equal to about 1 mol H₂O₂, 1.1 mol H₂O₂, 1.2 mol H₂O₂, 1.3 molH₂O₂, 1.4 mol H₂O₂, or 1.5 mol H₂O₂ per 1 mol KMnO₄. The method mayinclude providing less than about 1.5 mol H₂O₂, 1.4 mol H₂O₂, 1.3 molH₂O₂, 1.2 mol H₂O₂, or 1.1 mol H₂O₂ per 1 mol KMnO₄.

In some embodiments, ice may be provided in an amount between about 1 gH₂SO₄:0 g ice and about 1 g H₂SO₄:1.09 g ice, between about 1 gH₂SO₄:1.09 g ice and about 1 g H₂SO₄:1.63 g ice, or between about 1 gH₂SO₄:0 g ice and about 1 g H₂SO₄:1.63 g ice. The method may includeproviding between about 0 g ice and 0.4 g ice, 0 g ice and 0.8 g ice, 0g ice and 1.2 g ice, 0 g ice and 1.63 g ice, 0.4 g ice and 0.8 g ice,0.4 g ice and 1.2 g ice, 0.4 g ice and 1.63 g ice, 0.8 g ice and 1.2 gice, 0.8 g ice and 1.63 g ice, or 1.2 g ice and 1.63 g ice per 1 gH₂SO₄. The method may include providing greater than or equal to about 0g ice, 0.2 g ice, 0.4 g ice, 0.6 g ice, 0.8 g ice, 1.09 g ice, 1.2 gice, 1.4 g ice, or 1.63 g ice per 1 g H₂SO₄. The method may includeproviding less than about 2.4 g ice, 2.2 g ice, 2.0 g ice, 1.8 g ice,1.63 g ice, 1.4 g ice, 1.2 g ice, 1.09 g ice, 0.8 g ice, 0.6 g ice, 0.4g ice, 0.2 g ice, or 0.1 g ice per 1 g H₂SO₄.

In some embodiments, ice may be provided in an amount between about 1 mLH₂SO₄:0 g ice and about 1 mL H₂SO₄:2 g ice, between about 1 mL H₂SO₄:2 gice and about 1 mL H₂SO₄:3 g ice, or between about 1 mL H₂SO₄:0 g iceand about 1 mL H₂SO₄:3 g ice. The method may include providing betweenabout 0 g ice and 1 g ice, 0 g ice and 2 g ice, 0 g ice and 3 g ice, 1 gice and 2 g ice, 1 g ice and 3 g ice, or 2 g ice and 3 g ice per 1 mLH₂SO₄. The method may include providing greater than or equal to about 0g ice, 0.2 g ice, 0.4 g ice, 0.6 g ice, 0.8 g ice, 1 g ice, 1.2 g ice,1.4 g ice, 1.6 g ice, 1.8 g ice, 2 g ice, 2.2 g ice, 2.4 g ice, 2.6 gice, 2.8 g ice, or 3 g ice per 1 mL H₂SO₄. The method may includeproviding less than about 4.5 g ice, 4 g ice, 3.5 g ice, 3 g ice, 2.5 gice, 2 g ice, 1.5 g ice, 1 g ice, 0.5 g ice, 0.25 g ice, or 0.1 g iceper 1 mL H₂SO₄.

In some embodiments, the ionic conductivity (e.g., for the method inFIG. 2) may be between about 10 microsiemens per centimeter (0/cm) and20 μS/cm, 10 μS/cm and 30 μS/cm, 10 μS/cm and 40 μS/cm, 10 μS/cm and 50μS/cm, 20 μS/cm and 30 μS/cm, 20 μS/cm and 40 μS/cm, 20 μS/cm and 50μS/cm, 30 μS/cm and 40 μS/cm, 30 μS/cm and 50 μS/cm, or 40 μS/cm and 50μS/cm. In some embodiments, the ionic conductivity (e.g., for the methodin FIG. 2) may be less than and equal to about 50 μS/cm, 40 μS/cm, 30μS/cm, 20 μS/cm, or 10 μS/cm. In some embodiments, the given purity orgrade may be achieved at least about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 timesfaster than a Hummers-based method. In some embodiments, the givenpurity or grade may be achieved between about 2 and 5, 2 and 8, or 5 and8 times faster than a Hummers-based method. In some instances, thepurity or grade may be reached at the aforementioned faster ratesbecause a Hummers-based method requires hydrochloric acid to be washedout and is therefore slower to reach the given purity or grade. Areduced graphite oxide (e.g., graphene or ICCN) synthesis method of thepresent disclosure may be used to form (e.g., from graphite oxideproduced in accordance with the present disclosure) reduced graphiteoxide (e.g., graphene or ICCN) with a given purity or grade (e.g., aminimum purity or grade). In some embodiments, a purity or grade of arCBO (e.g., reduced graphite oxide) may be at least about 90%, 95%, 96%,97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 99.9% carbon (e.g., by weight). In otherembodiments, the purity or grade of the rCBO by weight is between atleast 90% and 95%, and between at least 95% and 99.9%.

One embodiment described herein is a method for producing a carbon-basedoxide material comprising: forming a first solution comprising graphiteand an acid; cooling the first solution to a first temperature; adding afirst oxidizing agent to the first solution to form a second solution;and quenching the second solution to a second temperature to form acarbon-based oxide material.

In some embodiments the graphite comprises graphite powder, graphiteflakes, milled graphite, exfoliated graphite, amorphous graphite, veingraphite, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the graphite has a carbon content by weight of about1% to about 100%. In some embodiments the graphite has a carbon contentby weight of at least about 1%. In some embodiments the graphite has acarbon content by weight of at most about 100%. In some embodiments thegraphite has a carbon content by weight of about 1% to about 2%, about1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 20%, about 1%to about 30%, about 1% to about 40%, about 1% to about 50%, about 1% toabout 60%, about 1% to about 80%, about 1% to about 99%, about 1% toabout 100%, about 2% to about 5%, about 2% to about 10%, about 2% toabout 20%, about 2% to about 30%, about 2% to about 40%, about 2% toabout 50%, about 2% to about 60%, about 2% to about 80%, about 2% toabout 99%, about 2% to about 100%, about 5% to about 10%, about 5% toabout 20%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% toabout 50%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% toabout 99%, about 5% to about 100%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% toabout 30%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% toabout 60%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 99%, about 10% toabout 100%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% toabout 50%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% toabout 99%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 40%, about 30% toabout 50%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% toabout 99%, about 30% to about 100%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% toabout 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 99%, about 40% toabout 100%, about 50% to about 60%, about 50% to about 80%, about 50% toabout 99%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 80%, about 60% toabout 99%, about 60% to about 100%, about 80% to about 99%, about 80% toabout 100%, or about 99% to about 100%. In some embodiments the graphitehas a carbon content by weight of about 1%, about 2%, about 5%, about10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 80%,about 99%, or about 100%.

In some embodiments the graphite has an ionic conductivity of about 1μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm. In some embodiments the graphite has an ionicconductivity of at least about 1 μS/cm. In some embodiments the graphitehas an ionic conductivity of at most about 100 μS/cm. In someembodiments the graphite has an ionic conductivity of about 1 μS/cm toabout 2 μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 5 μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 10μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 20 μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 30 μS/cm,about 1 μS/cm to about 40 μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 50 μS/cm, about1 μS/cm to about 60 μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 80 μS/cm, about 1μS/cm to about 99 μS/cm, about 1 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cmto about 5 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about 10 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm toabout 20 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about 30 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about40 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about 50 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about 60μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about 80 μS/cm, about 2 μS/cm to about 99 μS/cm,about 2 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 10 μS/cm, about5 μS/cm to about 20 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 30 μS/cm, about 5μS/cm to about 40 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 50 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cmto about 60 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 80 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm toabout 99 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 20 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 30 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 40 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 50 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 60 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 80 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 99 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 30 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 40 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 50 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 60 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 80 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 99 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, about 30 μS/cm to about 40 μS/cm, about 30 μS/cm toabout 50 μS/cm, about 30 μS/cm to about 60 μS/cm, about 30 μS/cm toabout 80 μS/cm, about 30 μS/cm to about 99 μS/cm, about 30 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, about 40 μS/cm to about 50 μS/cm, about 40 μS/cm toabout 60 μS/cm, about 40 μS/cm to about 80 μS/cm, about 40 μS/cm toabout 99 μS/cm, about 40 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm toabout 60 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm to about 80 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm toabout 99 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 60 μS/cm toabout 80 μS/cm, about 60 μS/cm to about 99 μS/cm, about 60 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, about 80 μS/cm to about 99 μS/cm, about 80 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, or about 99 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm. In someembodiments the graphite has an ionic conductivity of about 1 μS/cm,about 2 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm, about 30μS/cm, about 40 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm, about 60 μS/cm, about 80 μS/cm,about 99 μS/cm, or about 100 μS/cm. In some embodiments the graphite hasan ionic conductivity of at least about 1 μS/cm, at least about 2 μS/cm,at least about 5 μS/cm, at least about 10 μS/cm, at least about 20μS/cm, at least about 30 μS/cm, at least about 40 μS/cm, at least about50 μS/cm, at least about 60 μS/cm, at least about 80 μS/cm, at leastabout 99 μS/cm, or at least about 100 μS/cm.

In some embodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greaterthan the mass of the graphite by a factor of about −200 to about 200. Insome embodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater thanthe mass of the graphite by a factor of at least about −200. In someembodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of at most about 200. In someembodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of about −200 to about −150, about −200to about −100, about −200 to about −50, about −200 to about 0, about−200 to about 50, about −200 to about 100, about −200 to about 150,about −200 to about 200, about −150 to about −100, about −150 to about−50, about −150 to about 0, about −150 to about 50, about −150 to about100, about −150 to about 150, about −150 to about 200, about −100 toabout −50, about −100 to about 0, about −100 to about 50, about −100 toabout 100, about −100 to about 150, about −100 to about 200, about −50to about 0, about −50 to about 50, about −50 to about 100, about −50 toabout 150, about −50 to about 200, about 0 to about 50, about 0 to about100, about 0 to about 150, about 0 to about 200, about 50 to about 100,about 50 to about 150, about 50 to about 200, about 100 to about 150,about 100 to about 200, or about 150 to about 200. In some embodimentsthe mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of about −200, about −150, about −100, about −50,about 0, about 50, about 100, about 150, or about 200.

In some embodiments the acid comprises a strong acid. In someembodiments the strong acid comprises perchloric acid, hydroiodic acid,hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonicacid methanesulfonic acid, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the mass of the acid is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of about 30 to about 80. In some embodiments themass of the acid is greater than the mass of the graphite by a factor ofat least about 30. In some embodiments the mass of the acid is greaterthan the mass of the graphite by a factor of at most about 80. In someembodiments the mass of the acid is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of about 30 to about 35, about 30 to about 40,about 30 to about 45, about 30 to about 50, about 30 to about 55, about30 to about 60, about 30 to about 65, about 30 to about 70, about 30 toabout 75, about 30 to about 80, about 35 to about 40, about 35 to about45, about 35 to about 50, about 35 to about 55, about 35 to about 60,about 35 to about 65, about 35 to about 70, about 35 to about 75, about35 to about 80, about 40 to about 45, about 40 to about 50, about 40 toabout 55, about 40 to about 60, about 40 to about 65, about 40 to about70, about 40 to about 75, about 40 to about 80, about 45 to about 50,about 45 to about 55, about 45 to about 60, about 45 to about 65, about45 to about 70, about 45 to about 75, about 45 to about 80, about 50 toabout 55, about 50 to about 60, about 50 to about 65, about 50 to about70, about 50 to about 75, about 50 to about 80, about 55 to about 60,about 55 to about 65, about 55 to about 70, about 55 to about 75, about55 to about 80, about 60 to about 65, about 60 to about 70, about 60 toabout 75, about 60 to about 80, about 65 to about 70, about 65 to about75, about 65 to about 80, about 70 to about 75, about 70 to about 80, orabout 75 to about 80. In some embodiments the mass of the acid isgreater than the mass of the graphite by a factor of about 30, about 35,about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70,about 75, or about 80.

In some embodiments the concentration of the acid is about 90% to about99%. In some embodiments the concentration of the acid is at least about90%. In some embodiments the concentration of the acid is at most about99%. In some embodiments the concentration of the acid is about 90% toabout 91%, about 90% to about 92%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% toabout 94%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to about 96%, about 90% toabout 97%, about 90% to about 98%, about 90% to about 99%, about 91% toabout 92%, about 91% to about 93%, about 91% to about 94%, about 91% toabout 95%, about 91% to about 96%, about 91% to about 97%, about 91% toabout 98%, about 91% to about 99%, about 92% to about 93%, about 92% toabout 94%, about 92% to about 95%, about 92% to about 96%, about 92% toabout 97%, about 92% to about 98%, about 92% to about 99%, about 93% toabout 94%, about 93% to about 95%, about 93% to about 96%, about 93% toabout 97%, about 93% to about 98%, about 93% to about 99%, about 94% toabout 95%, about 94% to about 96%, about 94% to about 97%, about 94% toabout 98%, about 94% to about 99%, about 95% to about 96%, about 95% toabout 97%, about 95% to about 98%, about 95% to about 99%, about 96% toabout 97%, about 96% to about 98%, about 96% to about 99%, about 97% toabout 98%, about 97% to about 99%, or about 98% to about 99%. In someembodiments the concentration of the acid is about 90%, about 91%, about92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%,or about 99%.

In some embodiments the first temperature is about −20° C. to about 30°C. In some embodiments the first temperature is at least about −20° C.In some embodiments the first temperature is at most about 30° C. Insome embodiments the first temperature is at most about 25° C. In someembodiments the first temperature is at most about 20° C. In someembodiments the first temperature is at most about 15° C. In someembodiments the first temperature is about −20° C. to about −15° C.,about −20° C. to about −5° C., about −20° C. to about −10° C., about−20° C. to about 0° C., about −20° C. to about 5° C., about −20° C. toabout 10° C., about −20° C. to about 15° C., about −20° C. to about 20°C., about −20° C. to about 25° C., about −20° C. to about 30° C., about−15° C. to about −5° C., about −15° C. to about −10° C., about −15° C.to about 0° C., about −15° C. to about 5° C., about −15° C. to about 10°C., about −15° C. to about 15° C., about −15° C. to about 20° C., about−15° C. to about 25° C., about −15° C. to about 30° C., about −5° C. toabout −10° C., about −5° C. to about 0° C., about −5° C. to about 5° C.,about −5° C. to about 10° C., about −5° C. to about 15° C., about −5° C.to about 20° C., about −5° C. to about 25° C., about −5° C. to about 30°C., about −10° C. to about 0° C., about −10° C. to about 5° C., about−10° C. to about 10° C., about −10° C. to about 15° C., about −10° C. toabout 20° C., about −10° C. to about 25° C., about −10° C. to about 30°C., about 0° C. to about 5° C., about 0° C. to about 10° C., about 0° C.to about 15° C., about 0° C. to about 20° C., about 0° C. to about 25°C., about 0° C. to about 30° C., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about 5°C. to about 15° C., about 5° C. to about 20° C., about 5° C. to about25° C., about 5° C. to about 30° C., about 10° C. to about 15° C., about10° C. to about 20° C., about 10° C. to about 25° C., about 10° C. toabout 30° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 15° C. to about 25°C., about 15° C. to about 30° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C., about20° C. to about 30° C., or about 25° C. to about 30° C. In someembodiments the first temperature is about −20° C., about −15° C., about−5° C., about −10° C., about 0° C., about 5° C., about 10° C., about 15°C., about 20° C., about 25° C., or about 30° C.

In some embodiments the first solution is cooled to the firsttemperature. In some embodiments the first solution is cooled to thefirst temperature, by an ice bath, a water bath, one or more coolingcoils, ice, water, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the first oxidizing agent comprises oxygen, ozone,hydrogen peroxide, fluorite dioxide, lithium peroxide, barium peroxide,fluorine, chlorine, nitric acid, nitrate compounds, sulfuric acid,peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, chlorite, chlorate,perchlorate, halogen compounds hypochlorite, hypohalite compounds,household bleach, hexavalent chromium compounds, chromic acids,dichromic acids, chromium trioxide, pyridinium chlorochromate, chromatecompounds, dichromate compounds, permanganate compounds, potassiumpermanganate, sodium perborate, nitrous oxide, potassium nitrate, sodiumbismuthate, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greaterthan the mass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.5 to about 12. Insome embodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater thanthe mass of the graphite by a factor of at least about 1.5. In someembodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of at most about 12. In someembodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.5 to about 2, about 1.5 toabout 3, about 1.5 to about 4, about 1.5 to about 5, about 1.5 to about6, about 1.5 to about 7, about 1.5 to about 8, about 1.5 to about 9,about 1.5 to about 10, about 1.5 to about 11, about 1.5 to about 12,about 2 to about 3, about 2 to about 4, about 2 to about 5, about 2 toabout 6, about 2 to about 7, about 2 to about 8, about 2 to about 9,about 2 to about 10, about 2 to about 11, about 2 to about 12, about 3to about 4, about 3 to about 5, about 3 to about 6, about 3 to about 7,about 3 to about 8, about 3 to about 9, about 3 to about 10, about 3 toabout 11, about 3 to about 12, about 4 to about 5, about 4 to about 6,about 4 to about 7, about 4 to about 8, about 4 to about 9, about 4 toabout 10, about 4 to about 11, about 4 to about 12, about 5 to about 6,about 5 to about 7, about 5 to about 8, about 5 to about 9, about 5 toabout 10, about 5 to about 11, about 5 to about 12, about 6 to about 7,about 6 to about 8, about 6 to about 9, about 6 to about 10, about 6 toabout 11, about 6 to about 12, about 7 to about 8, about 7 to about 9,about 7 to about 10, about 7 to about 11, about 7 to about 12, about 8to about 9, about 8 to about 10, about 8 to about 11, about 8 to about12, about 9 to about 10, about 9 to about 11, about 9 to about 12, about10 to about 11, about 10 to about 12, or about 11 to about 12. In someembodiments the mass of the first oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.5, about 2, about 3, about4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, orabout 12.

In some embodiments the first oxidizing agent is added to the firstsolution over a period of time of about 15 minutes to about 180 minutes.In some embodiments the first oxidizing agent is added to the firstsolution over a period of time of at least about 15 minutes. In someembodiments the first oxidizing agent is added to the first solutionover a period of time of at most about 180 minutes. In some embodimentsthe first oxidizing agent is added to the first solution over a periodof time of about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 15 minutes toabout 45 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 15 minutesto about 75 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 15minutes to about 105 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 15 minutes to about 135 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 150minutes, about 15 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 30 minutes toabout 45 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 30 minutesto about 75 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 30minutes to about 105 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 30 minutes to about 135 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 150minutes, about 30 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 45 minutes toabout 60 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 75 minutes, about 45 minutesto about 90 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 105 minutes, about 45minutes to about 120 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 135 minutes,about 45 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 180minutes, about 60 minutes to about 75 minutes, about 60 minutes to about90 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 105 minutes, about 60 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 135 minutes, about 60minutes to about 150 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 180 minutes,about 75 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 105minutes, about 75 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 75 minutes toabout 135 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 75minutes to about 180 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 105 minutes,about 90 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 135minutes, about 90 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 90 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 105 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 105minutes to about 135 minutes, about 105 minutes to about 150 minutes,about 105 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 120 minutes to about 135minutes, about 120 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 120 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 135 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 135minutes to about 180 minutes, or about 150 minutes to about 180 minutes.In some embodiments the first oxidizing agent is added to the firstsolution over a period of time of about 15 minutes, about 30 minutes,about 45 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 75 minutes, about 90 minutes,about 105 minutes, about 120 minutes, about 135 minutes, about 150minutes, or about 180 minutes. In some embodiments the first oxidizingagent is added to the first solution over a period of time of at leastabout 15 minutes, at least about 30 minutes, at least about 45 minutes,at least about 60 minutes, at least about 75 minutes, at least about 90minutes, at least about 105 minutes, at least about 120 minutes, atleast about 135 minutes, at least about 150 minutes, or at least about180 minutes. In some embodiments the first oxidizing agent is added tothe first solution over a period of time of at most about 15 minutes, atmost about 30 minutes, at most about 45 minutes, at most about 60minutes, at most about 75 minutes, at most about 90 minutes, at mostabout 105 minutes, at most about 120 minutes, at most about 135 minutes,at most about 150 minutes, or at most about 180 minutes.

In some embodiments a temperature of the second solution during theaddition of the first oxidizing agent is less than about 30° C., lessthan about 27° C., less than about 24° C., less than about 21° C., lessthan about 18° C., less than about 15° C., or less than about 12° C.

Some embodiments further comprise allowing the second solution to reactat a third temperature over a first period of time.

In some embodiments the third temperature is about 10° C. to about 70°C. In some embodiments the third temperature is at least about 10° C. Insome embodiments the third temperature is at most about 70° C. In someembodiments the third temperature is about 10° C. to about 15° C., about10° C. to about 20° C., about 10° C. to about 25° C., about 10° C. toabout 30° C., about 10° C. to about 35° C., about 10° C. to about 40°C., about 10° C. to about 45° C., about 10° C. to about 50° C., about10° C. to about 55° C., about 10° C. to about 60° C., about 10° C. toabout 70° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 15° C. to about 25°C., about 15° C. to about 30° C., about 15° C. to about 35° C., about15° C. to about 40° C., about 15° C. to about 45° C., about 15° C. toabout 50° C., about 15° C. to about 55° C., about 15° C. to about 60°C., about 15° C. to about 70° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C., about20° C. to about 30° C., about 20° C. to about 35° C., about 20° C. toabout 40° C., about 20° C. to about 45° C., about 20° C. to about 50°C., about 20° C. to about 55° C., about 20° C. to about 60° C., about20° C. to about 70° C., about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 25° C. toabout 35° C., about 25° C. to about 40° C., about 25° C. to about 45°C., about 25° C. to about 50° C., about 25° C. to about 55° C., about25° C. to about 60° C., about 25° C. to about 70° C., about 30° C. toabout 35° C., about 30° C. to about 40° C., about 30° C. to about 45°C., about 30° C. to about 50° C., about 30° C. to about 55° C., about30° C. to about 60° C., about 30° C. to about 70° C., about 35° C. toabout 40° C., about 35° C. to about 45° C., about 35° C. to about 50°C., about 35° C. to about 55° C., about 35° C. to about 60° C., about35° C. to about 70° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about 40° C. toabout 50° C., about 40° C. to about 55° C., about 40° C. to about 60°C., about 40° C. to about 70° C., about 45° C. to about 50° C., about45° C. to about 55° C., about 45° C. to about 60° C., about 45° C. toabout 70° C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 50° C. to about 60°C., about 50° C. to about 70° C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about55° C. to about 70° C., or about 60° C. to about 70° C. In someembodiments the third temperature is about 10° C., about 15° C., about20° C., about 25° C., about 30° C., about 35° C., about 40° C., about45° C., about 50° C., about 55° C., about 60° C., or about 70° C. Insome embodiments the third temperature is at most about 10° C., at mostabout 15° C., at most about 20° C., at most about 25° C., at most about30° C., at most about 35° C., at most about 40° C., at most about 45°C., at most about 50° C., at most about 55° C., at most about 60° C., orat most about 70° C.

In some embodiments the first period of time is about 15 minutes toabout 120 minutes. In some embodiments the first period of time is atleast about 15 minutes. In some embodiments the first period of time isat most about 120 minutes. In some embodiments the first period of timeis about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 45minutes, about 15 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 15 minutes to about75 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 15 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 30minutes to about 60 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 75 minutes, about30 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 45 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 75minutes, about 45 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 45 minutes to about120 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 75 minutes, about 60 minutes toabout 90 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 75minutes to about 90 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 120 minutes, orabout 90 minutes to about 120 minutes. In some embodiments the firstperiod of time is about 15 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 45 minutes,about 60 minutes, about 75 minutes, about 90 minutes, or about 120minutes.

In some embodiments the second solution is quenched to the secondtemperature. In some embodiments the second solution is quenched to thesecond temperature by an ice bath, a water bath, one or more coolingcoils, ice, water, or any combination thereof. In some embodimentsquenching the second solution further comprises adding a secondoxidizing agent to the second solution.

In some embodiments the second temperature is about 25° C. to about 75°C. In some embodiments the second temperature is at least about 25° C.In some embodiments the second temperature is at most about 75° C. Insome embodiments the second temperature is about 25° C. to about 30° C.,about 25° C. to about 35° C., about 25° C. to about 40° C., about 25° C.to about 45° C., about 25° C. to about 50° C., about 25° C. to about 55°C., about 25° C. to about 60° C., about 25° C. to about 65° C., about25° C. to about 70° C., about 25° C. to about 75° C., about 30° C. toabout 35° C., about 30° C. to about 40° C., about 30° C. to about 45°C., about 30° C. to about 50° C., about 30° C. to about 55° C., about30° C. to about 60° C., about 30° C. to about 65° C., about 30° C. toabout 70° C., about 30° C. to about 75° C., about 35° C. to about 40°C., about 35° C. to about 45° C., about 35° C. to about 50° C., about35° C. to about 55° C., about 35° C. to about 60° C., about 35° C. toabout 65° C., about 35° C. to about 70° C., about 35° C. to about 75°C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about 40° C. to about 50° C., about40° C. to about 55° C., about 40° C. to about 60° C., about 40° C. toabout 65° C., about 40° C. to about 70° C., about 40° C. to about 75°C., about 45° C. to about 50° C., about 45° C. to about 55° C., about45° C. to about 60° C., about 45° C. to about 65° C., about 45° C. toabout 70° C., about 45° C. to about 75° C., about 50° C. to about 55°C., about 50° C. to about 60° C., about 50° C. to about 65° C., about50° C. to about 70° C., about 50° C. to about 75° C., about 55° C. toabout 60° C., about 55° C. to about 65° C., about 55° C. to about 70°C., about 55° C. to about 75° C., about 60° C. to about 65° C., about60° C. to about 70° C., about 60° C. to about 75° C., about 65° C. toabout 70° C., about 65° C. to about 75° C., or about 70° C. to about 75°C. In some embodiments the second temperature is about 25° C., about 30°C., about 35° C., about 40° C., about 45° C., about 50° C., about 55°C., about 60° C., about 65° C., about 70° C., or about 75° C. In someembodiments the second temperature is at most about 25° C., at mostabout 30° C., at most about 35° C., at most about 40° C., at most about45° C., at most about 50° C., at most about 55° C., at most about 60°C., at most about 65° C., at most about 70° C., or at most about 75° C.

In some embodiments quenching the second solution occurs over a periodof time of about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes. In some embodimentsquenching the second solution occurs over a period of time of at leastabout 30 minutes. In some embodiments quenching the second solutionoccurs over a period of time of at most about 120 minutes. In someembodiments quenching the second solution occurs over a period of timeof about 30 minutes to about 40 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 50minutes, about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 30 minutes to about70 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 30 minutes toabout 90 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 30minutes to about 110 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 40 minutes to about 50 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 60minutes, about 40 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 40 minutes to about80 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 40 minutes toabout 100 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 40minutes to about 120 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 60 minutes,about 50 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 80minutes, about 50 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 50 minutes to about100 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 50 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 60minutes to about 80 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 90 minutes, about60 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 110 minutes,about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 80minutes, about 70 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 70 minutes to about100 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 70 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 80minutes to about 100 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 110 minutes,about 80 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 100minutes, about 90 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 90 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 100minutes to about 120 minutes, or about 110 minutes to about 120 minutes.In some embodiments quenching the second solution occurs over a periodof time of about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes, about 90 minutes, about100 minutes, about 110 minutes, or about 120 minutes.

In some embodiments the second oxidizing agent comprises oxygen, ozone,hydrogen peroxide, fluorite dioxide, lithium peroxide, barium peroxide,fluorine, chlorine, nitric acid, nitrate compounds, sulfuric acid,peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, chlorite, chlorate,perchlorate, halogen compounds hypochlorite, hypohalite compounds,household bleach, hexavalent chromium compounds, chromic acids,dichromic acids, chromium trioxide, pyridinium chlorochromate, chromatecompounds, dichromate compounds, permanganate compounds, potassiumpermanganate, sodium perborate, nitrous oxide, potassium nitrate, sodiumbismuthate or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments a mass of the second oxidizing agent is greater thanthe mass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.5 to about 6. In someembodiments a mass of the second oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of at least about 1.5. In someembodiments a mass of the second oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of at most about 6. In some embodimentsa mass of the second oxidizing agent is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of about 1.5 to about 2, about 1.5 to about 2.5,about 1.5 to about 3, about 1.5 to about 3.5, about 1.5 to about 4,about 1.5 to about 4.5, about 1.5 to about 5, about 1.5 to about 5.5,about 1.5 to about 6, about 2 to about 2.5, about 2 to about 3, about 2to about 3.5, about 2 to about 4, about 2 to about 4.5, about 2 to about5, about 2 to about 5.5, about 2 to about 6, about 2.5 to about 3, about2.5 to about 3.5, about 2.5 to about 4, about 2.5 to about 4.5, about2.5 to about 5, about 2.5 to about 5.5, about 2.5 to about 6, about 3 toabout 3.5, about 3 to about 4, about 3 to about 4.5, about 3 to about 5,about 3 to about 5.5, about 3 to about 6, about 3.5 to about 4, about3.5 to about 4.5, about 3.5 to about 5, about 3.5 to about 5.5, about3.5 to about 6, about 4 to about 4.5, about 4 to about 5, about 4 toabout 5.5, about 4 to about 6, about 4.5 to about 5, about 4.5 to about5.5, about 4.5 to about 6, about 5 to about 5.5, about 5 to about 6, orabout 5.5 to about 6. In some embodiments a mass of the second oxidizingagent is greater than the mass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.5,about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5,about 5.5, or about 6.

Some embodiments further comprise agitating at least one of the firstsolution, and the second solution for a period of time, and thecarbon-based oxide material.

In some embodiments the agitation occurs for a period of time of about45 minutes to about 360 minutes. In some embodiments the agitationoccurs for a period of time of at least about 45 minutes. In someembodiments the agitation occurs for a period of time of at most about360 minutes. In some embodiments the agitation occurs for a period oftime of about 45 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 45 minutes to about75 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 45 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 45minutes to about 180 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 210 minutes,about 45 minutes to about 240 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 280minutes, about 45 minutes to about 320 minutes, about 45 minutes toabout 360 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 75 minutes, about 60minutes to about 90 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 60 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 180minutes, about 60 minutes to about 210 minutes, about 60 minutes toabout 240 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 280 minutes, about 60minutes to about 320 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 360 minutes,about 75 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 120minutes, about 75 minutes to about 150 minutes, about 75 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 210 minutes, about 75minutes to about 240 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 280 minutes,about 75 minutes to about 320 minutes, about 75 minutes to about 360minutes, about 90 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes toabout 150 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 90minutes to about 210 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 240 minutes,about 90 minutes to about 280 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 320minutes, about 90 minutes to about 360 minutes, about 120 minutes toabout 150 minutes, about 120 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 120minutes to about 210 minutes, about 120 minutes to about 240 minutes,about 120 minutes to about 280 minutes, about 120 minutes to about 320minutes, about 120 minutes to about 360 minutes, about 150 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 150 minutes to about 210 minutes, about 150minutes to about 240 minutes, about 150 minutes to about 280 minutes,about 150 minutes to about 320 minutes, about 150 minutes to about 360minutes, about 180 minutes to about 210 minutes, about 180 minutes toabout 240 minutes, about 180 minutes to about 280 minutes, about 180minutes to about 320 minutes, about 180 minutes to about 360 minutes,about 210 minutes to about 240 minutes, about 210 minutes to about 280minutes, about 210 minutes to about 320 minutes, about 210 minutes toabout 360 minutes, about 240 minutes to about 280 minutes, about 240minutes to about 320 minutes, about 240 minutes to about 360 minutes,about 280 minutes to about 320 minutes, about 280 minutes to about 360minutes, or about 320 minutes to about 360 minutes. In some embodimentsthe agitation occurs for a period of time of about 45 minutes, about 60minutes, about 75 minutes, about 90 minutes, about 120 minutes, about150 minutes, about 180 minutes, about 210 minutes, about 240 minutes,about 280 minutes, about 320 minutes, or about 360 minutes.

In some embodiments the agitation occurs at a stirring rate of about 10rpm to about 300 rpm. In some embodiments the agitation occurs at astirring rate of at least about 10 rpm. In some embodiments theagitation occurs at a stirring rate of at most about 300 rpm. In someembodiments the agitation occurs at a stirring rate of about 10 rpm toabout 20 rpm, about 10 rpm to about 50 rpm, about 10 rpm to about 75rpm, about 10 rpm to about 100 rpm, about 10 rpm to about 125 rpm, about10 rpm to about 150 rpm, about 10 rpm to about 200 rpm, about 10 rpm toabout 250 rpm, about 10 rpm to about 300 rpm, about 20 rpm to about 50rpm, about 20 rpm to about 75 rpm, about 20 rpm to about 100 rpm, about20 rpm to about 125 rpm, about 20 rpm to about 150 rpm, about 20 rpm toabout 200 rpm, about 20 rpm to about 250 rpm, about 20 rpm to about 300rpm, about 50 rpm to about 75 rpm, about 50 rpm to about 100 rpm, about50 rpm to about 125 rpm, about 50 rpm to about 150 rpm, about 50 rpm toabout 200 rpm, about 50 rpm to about 250 rpm, about 50 rpm to about 300rpm, about 75 rpm to about 100 rpm, about 75 rpm to about 125 rpm, about75 rpm to about 150 rpm, about 75 rpm to about 200 rpm, about 75 rpm toabout 250 rpm, about 75 rpm to about 300 rpm, about 100 rpm to about 125rpm, about 100 rpm to about 150 rpm, about 100 rpm to about 200 rpm,about 100 rpm to about 250 rpm, about 100 rpm to about 300 rpm, about125 rpm to about 150 rpm, about 125 rpm to about 200 rpm, about 125 rpmto about 250 rpm, about 125 rpm to about 300 rpm, about 150 rpm to about200 rpm, about 150 rpm to about 250 rpm, about 150 rpm to about 300 rpm,about 200 rpm to about 250 rpm, about 200 rpm to about 300 rpm, or about250 rpm to about 300 rpm. In some embodiments the agitation occurs at astirring rate of about 10 rpm, about 20 rpm, about 50 rpm, about 75 rpm,about 100 rpm, about 125 rpm, about 150 rpm, about 200 rpm, about 250rpm, or about 300 rpm.

Some embodiments further comprise allowing the second solution to reactfor a period of time after the second solution is quenched.

In some embodiments the second solution reacts for a period of time ofabout 15 minutes to about 120 minutes. In some embodiments the secondsolution reacts for a period of time of at least about 15 minutes. Insome embodiments the second solution reacts for a period of time of atmost about 120 minutes. In some embodiments the second solution reactsfor a period of time of about 15 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 15minutes to about 30 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 40 minutes, about15 minutes to about 50 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 60 minutes,about 15 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 80minutes, about 15 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 15 minutes to about100 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 15 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 20minutes to about 40 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 50 minutes, about20 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 70 minutes,about 20 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 90minutes, about 20 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 20 minutes toabout 110 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 30minutes to about 40 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 50 minutes, about30 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 70 minutes,about 30 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 90minutes, about 30 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 30 minutes toabout 110 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 40minutes to about 50 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 60 minutes, about40 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 80 minutes,about 40 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 100minutes, about 40 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 40 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 50minutes to about 70 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 80 minutes, about50 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 100 minutes,about 50 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 120minutes, about 60 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 60 minutes to about80 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 60 minutes toabout 100 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 60minutes to about 120 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 80 minutes,about 70 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 100minutes, about 70 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 70 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 80minutes to about 100 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 110 minutes,about 80 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 100minutes, about 90 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 90 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 110 minutes, about 100minutes to about 120 minutes, or about 110 minutes to about 120 minutes.In some embodiments the second solution reacts for a period of time ofabout 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes,about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes,about 90 minutes, about 100 minutes, about 110 minutes, or about 120minutes.

In some embodiments the temperature of the second solution during thereaction is about 15° C. to about 75° C. In some embodiments thetemperature of the second solution during the reaction is at least about15° C. In some embodiments the temperature of the second solution duringthe reaction is at most about 75° C. In some embodiments the temperatureof the second solution during the reaction is about 15° C. to about 20°C., about 15° C. to about 25° C., about 15° C. to about 30° C., about15° C. to about 35° C., about 15° C. to about 40° C., about 15° C. toabout 45° C., about 15° C. to about 50° C., about 15° C. to about 55°C., about 15° C. to about 60° C., about 15° C. to about 65° C., about15° C. to about 75° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C., about 20° C. toabout 30° C., about 20° C. to about 35° C., about 20° C. to about 40°C., about 20° C. to about 45° C., about 20° C. to about 50° C., about20° C. to about 55° C., about 20° C. to about 60° C., about 20° C. toabout 65° C., about 20° C. to about 75° C., about 25° C. to about 30°C., about 25° C. to about 35° C., about 25° C. to about 40° C., about25° C. to about 45° C., about 25° C. to about 50° C., about 25° C. toabout 55° C., about 25° C. to about 60° C., about 25° C. to about 65°C., about 25° C. to about 75° C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about30° C. to about 40° C., about 30° C. to about 45° C., about 30° C. toabout 50° C., about 30° C. to about 55° C., about 30° C. to about 60°C., about 30° C. to about 65° C., about 30° C. to about 75° C., about35° C. to about 40° C., about 35° C. to about 45° C., about 35° C. toabout 50° C., about 35° C. to about 55° C., about 35° C. to about 60°C., about 35° C. to about 65° C., about 35° C. to about 75° C., about40° C. to about 45° C., about 40° C. to about 50° C., about 40° C. toabout 55° C., about 40° C. to about 60° C., about 40° C. to about 65°C., about 40° C. to about 75° C., about 45° C. to about 50° C., about45° C. to about 55° C., about 45° C. to about 60° C., about 45° C. toabout 65° C., about 45° C. to about 75° C., about 50° C. to about 55°C., about 50° C. to about 60° C., about 50° C. to about 65° C., about50° C. to about 75° C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about 55° C. toabout 65° C., about 55° C. to about 75° C., about 60° C. to about 65°C., about 60° C. to about 75° C., or about 65° C. to about 75° C. Insome embodiments the temperature of the second solution during thereaction is about 15° C., about 20° C., about 25° C., about 30° C.,about 35° C., about 40° C., about 45° C., about 50° C., about 55° C.,about 60° C., about 65° C., or about 75° C. In some embodiments thetemperature of the second solution during the reaction is at most about15° C., at most about 20° C., at most about 25° C., at most about 30°C., at most about 35° C., at most about 40° C., at most about 45° C., atmost about 50° C., at most about 55° C., at most about 60° C., at mostabout 65° C., or at most about 75° C.

Some embodiments further comprise purifying the second solution. In someembodiments purifying the second solution comprises filtering thecarbon-based oxide material through a filter and concentrating thecarbon-based oxide material. In some embodiments filtering thecarbon-based oxide material through a filter comprises centrifugalfiltering, dead-end filtering, tangential-flow filtering, stationaryphase filtering, dynamic phase filtering, surface filtering, depthfiltering, vacuum filtering, recirculation filtering, or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments the first filter comprises a Buchnerfunnel, a surface filter, a sieve, a filter paper, a belt filter, a drumfilter, a cross-flow filter, a screen filter, a depth filter, apolymeric membrane, a ceramic membrane, a polyether sulfone filter, ahollow filter, a stainless steel filter, a stainless steel mesh, acarbon fiber mesh, a microfilter, an ultrafilter, a membrane, or anycombination.

In some embodiments the first filter has a pore size of about 0.01microns to about 4 microns. In some embodiments the first filter has apore size of at least about 0.01 microns. In some embodiments the firstfilter has a pore size of at most about 4 microns. In some embodimentsthe first filter has a pore size of about 0.01 microns to about 0.05microns, about 0.01 microns to about 0.1 microns, about 0.01 microns toabout 0.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 1 micron, about 0.01microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 2 microns,about 0.01 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 3microns, about 0.01 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 0.01 microns toabout 4 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 0.1 microns, about 0.05microns to about 0.5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 1 micron,about 0.05 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 2microns, about 0.05 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 0.05 microns toabout 3 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 0.05microns to about 4 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns,about 0.1 microns to about 1 micron, about 0.1 microns to about 1.5microns, about 0.1 microns to about 2 microns, about 0.1 microns toabout 2.5 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 3 microns, about 0.1microns to about 3.5 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 4 microns,about 0.5 microns to about 1 micron, about 0.5 microns to about 1.5microns, about 0.5 microns to about 2 microns, about 0.5 microns toabout 2.5 microns, about 0.5 microns to about 3 microns, about 0.5microns to about 3.5 microns, about 0.5 microns to about 4 microns,about 1 micron to about 1.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 2 microns,about 1 micron to about 2.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 3 microns,about 1 micron to about 3.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 4 microns,about 1.5 microns to about 2 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 2.5microns, about 1.5 microns to about 3 microns, about 1.5 microns toabout 3.5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 2 micronsto about 2.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 3 microns, about 2microns to about 3.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 4 microns, about2.5 microns to about 3 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 3.5 microns,about 2.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 3 microns to about 3.5microns, about 3 microns to about 4 microns, or about 3.5 microns toabout 4 microns. In some embodiments the first filter has a pore size ofabout 0.01 microns, about 0.05 microns, about 0.1 microns, about 0.5microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 2.5microns, about 3 microns, about 3.5 microns, or about 4 microns.

In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material is filtered untilits pH is about 3 to about 7. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxidematerial is filtered until its pH is at least about 3. In someembodiments the carbon-based oxide material is filtered until its pH isat most about 7. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material isfiltered until its pH is about 3 to about 3.5, about 3 to about 4, about3 to about 4.5, about 3 to about 5, about 3 to about 5.5, about 3 toabout 6, about 3 to about 6.5, about 3 to about 7, about 3.5 to about 4,about 3.5 to about 4.5, about 3.5 to about 5, about 3.5 to about 5.5,about 3.5 to about 6, about 3.5 to about 6.5, about 3.5 to about 7,about 4 to about 4.5, about 4 to about 5, about 4 to about 5.5, about 4to about 6, about 4 to about 6.5, about 4 to about 7, about 4.5 to about5, about 4.5 to about 5.5, about 4.5 to about 6, about 4.5 to about 6.5,about 4.5 to about 7, about 5 to about 5.5, about 5 to about 6, about 5to about 6.5, about 5 to about 7, about 5.5 to about 6, about 5.5 toabout 6.5, about 5.5 to about 7, about 6 to about 6.5, about 6 to about7, or about 6.5 to about 7. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxidematerial is filtered until its pH is about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about4.5, about 5, about 5.5, about 6, about 6.5, or about 7.

In some embodiments the purified second solution has a graphiteconcentration by weight of about 0.25% to about 4%. In some embodimentsthe purified second solution has a graphite concentration by weight ofat least about 0.25%. In some embodiments the purified second solutionhas a graphite concentration by weight of at most about 4%. In someembodiments the purified second solution has a graphite concentration byweight of about 0.25% to about 0.5%, about 0.25% to about 0.75%, about0.25% to about 1%, about 0.25% to about 1.25%, about 0.25% to about1.5%, about 0.25% to about 2%, about 0.25% to about 2.5%, about 0.25% toabout 3%, about 0.25% to about 3.5%, about 0.25% to about 4%, about 0.5%to about 0.75%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.5% to about 1.25%, about0.5% to about 1.5%, about 0.5% to about 2%, about 0.5% to about 2.5%,about 0.5% to about 3%, about 0.5% to about 3.5%, about 0.5% to about4%, about 0.75% to about 1%, about 0.75% to about 1.25%, about 0.75% toabout 1.5%, about 0.75% to about 2%, about 0.75% to about 2.5%, about0.75% to about 3%, about 0.75% to about 3.5%, about 0.75% to about 4%,about 1% to about 1.25%, about 1% to about 1.5%, about 1% to about 2%,about 1% to about 2.5%, about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 3.5%,about 1% to about 4%, about 1.25% to about 1.5%, about 1.25% to about2%, about 1.25% to about 2.5%, about 1.25% to about 3%, about 1.25% toabout 3.5%, about 1.25% to about 4%, about 1.5% to about 2%, about 1.5%to about 2.5%, about 1.5% to about 3%, about 1.5% to about 3.5%, about1.5% to about 4%, about 2% to about 2.5%, about 2% to about 3%, about 2%to about 3.5%, about 2% to about 4%, about 2.5% to about 3%, about 2.5%to about 3.5%, about 2.5% to about 4%, about 3% to about 3.5%, about 3%to about 4%, or about 3.5% to about 4%. In some embodiments the purifiedsecond solution has a graphite concentration by weight of about 0.25%,about 0.5%, about 0.75%, about 1%, about 1.25%, about 1.5%, about 2%,about 2.5%, about 3%, about 3.5%, or about 4%.

Some embodiments further comprise: forming a third solution comprisingthe carbon-based oxide material and a third oxidizing agent; heating thethird solution to a fourth temperature for a period of time; and addinga mineral ascorbate to the third solution to form a reduced carbon-basedoxide material.

In some embodiments heating the carbon-based oxide material to thefourth temperature, and adding the first quantity of the third oxidizingagent to the carbon-based oxide material, occur simultaneously.

In some embodiments the fourth temperature is about 45° C. to about 180°C. In some embodiments the fourth temperature is at least about 45° C.In some embodiments the fourth temperature is at most about 180° C. Insome embodiments the fourth temperature is about 45° C. to about 50° C.,about 45° C. to about 60° C., about 45° C. to about 70° C., about 45° C.to about 80° C., about 45° C. to about 90° C., about 45° C. to about100° C., about 45° C. to about 120° C., about 45° C. to about 140° C.,about 45° C. to about 160° C., about 45° C. to about 180° C., about 50°C. to about 60° C., about 50° C. to about 70° C., about 50° C. to about80° C., about 50° C. to about 90° C., about 50° C. to about 100° C.,about 50° C. to about 120° C., about 50° C. to about 140° C., about 50°C. to about 160° C., about 50° C. to about 180° C., about 60° C. toabout 70° C., about 60° C. to about 80° C., about 60° C. to about 90°C., about 60° C. to about 100° C., about 60° C. to about 120° C., about60° C. to about 140° C., about 60° C. to about 160° C., about 60° C. toabout 180° C., about 70° C. to about 80° C., about 70° C. to about 90°C., about 70° C. to about 100° C., about 70° C. to about 120° C., about70° C. to about 140° C., about 70° C. to about 160° C., about 70° C. toabout 180° C., about 80° C. to about 90° C., about 80° C. to about 100°C., about 80° C. to about 120° C., about 80° C. to about 140° C., about80° C. to about 160° C., about 80° C. to about 180° C., about 90° C. toabout 100° C., about 90° C. to about 120° C., about 90° C. to about 140°C., about 90° C. to about 160° C., about 90° C. to about 180° C., about100° C. to about 120° C., about 100° C. to about 140° C., about 100° C.to about 160° C., about 100° C. to about 180° C., about 120° C. to about140° C., about 120° C. to about 160° C., about 120° C. to about 180° C.,about 140° C. to about 160° C., about 140° C. to about 180° C., or about160° C. to about 180° C. In some embodiments the fourth temperature isabout 45° C., about 50° C., about 60° C., about 70° C., about 80° C.,about 90° C., about 100° C., about 120° C., about 140° C., about 160°C., or about 180° C. In some embodiments the fourth temperature is atmost about 45° C., at most about 50° C., at most about 60° C., at mostabout 70° C., at most about 80° C., at most about 90° C., at most about100° C., at most about 120° C., at most about 140° C., at most about160° C., or at most about 180° C.

In some embodiments heating the third solution to a fourth temperatureoccurs over a period of time of about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes.In some embodiments heating the third solution to a fourth temperatureoccurs over a period of time of at least about 30 minutes. In someembodiments heating the third solution to a fourth temperature occursover a period of time of at most about 120 minutes. In some embodimentsheating the third solution to a fourth temperature occurs over a periodof time of about 30 minutes to about 40 minutes, about 30 minutes toabout 50 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 30 minutesto about 70 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 30minutes to about 90 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 100 minutes,about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 120minutes, about 40 minutes to about 50 minutes, about 40 minutes to about60 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 40 minutes toabout 80 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 40 minutesto about 100 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 40minutes to about 120 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 60 minutes,about 50 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 80minutes, about 50 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 50 minutes to about100 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 50 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 60minutes to about 80 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 90 minutes, about60 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 80minutes, about 70 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 70 minutes to about100 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 70 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 80minutes to about 100 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 120 minutes,about 80 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 100minutes, about 90 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 100minutes to about 120 minutes, or about 120 minutes to about 120 minutes.In some embodiments heating the third solution to a fourth temperatureoccurs over a period of time of about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes,about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes,about 90 minutes, about 100 minutes, about 120 minutes, or about 120minutes.

In some embodiments the third oxidizing agent comprises oxygen, ozone,hydrogen peroxide, fluorite dioxide, lithium peroxide, barium peroxide,fluorine, chlorine, nitric acid, nitrate compounds, sulfuric acid,peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, chlorite, chlorate,perchlorate, halogen compounds hypochlorite, hypohalite compounds,household bleach, hexavalent chromium compounds, chromic acids,dichromic acids, chromium trioxide, pyridinium chlorochromate, chromatecompounds, dichromate compounds, permanganate compounds, potassiumpermanganate, sodium perborate, nitrous oxide, potassium nitrate, sodiumbismuthate or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the concentration of the third oxidizing agent isabout 15% to about 60%. In some embodiments the concentration of thethird oxidizing agent is at least about 15%. In some embodiments theconcentration of the third oxidizing agent is at most about 60%. In someembodiments the concentration of the third oxidizing agent is about 15%to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15%to about 35%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15%to about 50%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 60%, about 20%to about 25%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20%to about 40%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20%to about 55%, about 20% to about 60%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25%to about 35%, about 25% to about 40%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25%to about 50%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 60%, about 30%to about 35%, about 30% to about 40%, about 30% to about 45%, about 30%to about 50%, about 30% to about 55%, about 30% to about 60%, about 35%to about 40%, about 35% to about 45%, about 35% to about 50%, about 35%to about 55%, about 35% to about 60%, about 40% to about 45%, about 40%to about 50%, about 40% to about 55%, about 40% to about 60%, about 45%to about 50%, about 45% to about 55%, about 45% to about 60%, about 50%to about 55%, about 50% to about 60%, or about 55% to about 60%. In someembodiments the concentration of the third oxidizing agent is about 15%,about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about50%, about 55%, or about 60%.

In some embodiments the mass of the second quantity of the thirdoxidizing agent is greater than the mass of the graphite by a factor ofabout 1.1 to about 6. In some embodiments the mass of the secondquantity of the third oxidizing agent is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of at least about 1.1. In some embodiments the massof the second quantity of the third oxidizing agent is greater than themass of the graphite by a factor of at most about 6. In some embodimentsthe mass of the second quantity of the third oxidizing agent is greaterthan the mass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.1 to about 1.2,about 1.1 to about 1.5, about 1.1 to about 2, about 1.1 to about 2.5,about 1.1 to about 3, about 1.1 to about 3.5, about 1.1 to about 4,about 1.1 to about 4.5, about 1.1 to about 5, about 1.1 to about 5.5,about 1.1 to about 6, about 1.2 to about 1.5, about 1.2 to about 2,about 1.2 to about 2.5, about 1.2 to about 3, about 1.2 to about 3.5,about 1.2 to about 4, about 1.2 to about 4.5, about 1.2 to about 5,about 1.2 to about 5.5, about 1.2 to about 6, about 1.5 to about 2,about 1.5 to about 2.5, about 1.5 to about 3, about 1.5 to about 3.5,about 1.5 to about 4, about 1.5 to about 4.5, about 1.5 to about 5,about 1.5 to about 5.5, about 1.5 to about 6, about 2 to about 2.5,about 2 to about 3, about 2 to about 3.5, about 2 to about 4, about 2 toabout 4.5, about 2 to about 5, about 2 to about 5.5, about 2 to about 6,about 2.5 to about 3, about 2.5 to about 3.5, about 2.5 to about 4,about 2.5 to about 4.5, about 2.5 to about 5, about 2.5 to about 5.5,about 2.5 to about 6, about 3 to about 3.5, about 3 to about 4, about 3to about 4.5, about 3 to about 5, about 3 to about 5.5, about 3 to about6, about 3.5 to about 4, about 3.5 to about 4.5, about 3.5 to about 5,about 3.5 to about 5.5, about 3.5 to about 6, about 4 to about 4.5,about 4 to about 5, about 4 to about 5.5, about 4 to about 6, about 4.5to about 5, about 4.5 to about 5.5, about 4.5 to about 6, about 5 toabout 5.5, about 5 to about 6, or about 5.5 to about 6. In someembodiments the mass of the second quantity of the third oxidizing agentis greater than the mass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.1, about1.2, about 1.5, about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about4.5, about 5, about 5.5, or about 6.

In some embodiments the mineral ascorbate comprises sodium ascorbate,calcium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments the mass of the mineral ascorbate is greater thanthe mass of the graphite by a factor of about 2% to about 10%. In someembodiments the mass of the mineral ascorbate is greater than the massof the graphite by a factor of at least about 2%. In some embodimentsthe mass of the mineral ascorbate is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of at most about 10%. In some embodiments the massof the mineral ascorbate is greater than the mass of the graphite by afactor of about 2% to about 3%, about 2% to about 4%, about 2% to about5%, about 2% to about 6%, about 2% to about 7%, about 2% to about 8%,about 2% to about 9%, about 2% to about 10%, about 3% to about 4%, about3% to about 5%, about 3% to about 6%, about 3% to about 7%, about 3% toabout 8%, about 3% to about 9%, about 3% to about 10%, about 4% to about5%, about 4% to about 6%, about 4% to about 7%, about 4% to about 8%,about 4% to about 9%, about 4% to about 10%, about 5% to about 6%, about5% to about 7%, about 5% to about 8%, about 5% to about 9%, about 5% toabout 10%, about 6% to about 7%, about 6% to about 8%, about 6% to about9%, about 6% to about 10%, about 7% to about 8%, about 7% to about 9%,about 7% to about 10%, about 8% to about 9%, about 8% to about 10%, orabout 9% to about 10%. In some embodiments the mass of the mineralascorbate is greater than the mass of the graphite by a factor of about2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about9%, or about 10%.

In some embodiments the mineral ascorbate is added to the third solutionover a period of time of about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes. In someembodiments the mineral ascorbate is added to the third solution over aperiod of time of at least about 10 minutes. In some embodiments themineral ascorbate is added to the third solution over a period of timeof at most about 60 minutes. In some embodiments the mineral ascorbateis added to the third solution over a period of time of about 10 minutesto about 15 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 10minutes to about 25 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, about10 minutes to about 35 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 40 minutes,about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 50minutes, about 10 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 10 minutes to about60 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 15 minutes toabout 25 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 15 minutesto about 35 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 40 minutes, about 15minutes to about 45 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 50 minutes, about15 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 15 minutes to about 60 minutes,about 20 minutes to about 25 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 30minutes, about 20 minutes to about 35 minutes, about 20 minutes to about40 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 20 minutes toabout 50 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 20 minutesto about 60 minutes, about 25 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 25minutes to about 35 minutes, about 25 minutes to about 40 minutes, about25 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 25 minutes to about 50 minutes,about 25 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 25 minutes to about 60minutes, about 30 minutes to about 35 minutes, about 30 minutes to about40 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 30 minutes toabout 50 minutes, about 30 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 30 minutesto about 60 minutes, about 35 minutes to about 40 minutes, about 35minutes to about 45 minutes, about 35 minutes to about 50 minutes, about35 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 35 minutes to about 60 minutes,about 40 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 40 minutes to about 50minutes, about 40 minutes to about 55 minutes, about 40 minutes to about60 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 50 minutes, about 45 minutes toabout 55 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 50 minutesto about 55 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 60 minutes, or about 55minutes to about 60 minutes. In some embodiments the mineral ascorbateis added to the third solution over a period of time of about 10minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 25 minutes, about 30minutes, about 35 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 45 minutes, about 50minutes, about 55 minutes, or about 60 minutes.

Some embodiments further comprise allowing the third solution and themineral solution to react for a period of time of about 45 minutes toabout 180 minutes. Some embodiments further comprise allowing the thirdsolution and the mineral solution to react for a period of time of atleast about 45 minutes. Some embodiments further comprise allowing thethird solution and the mineral solution to react for a period of time ofat most about 180 minutes. Some embodiments further comprise allowingthe third solution and the mineral solution to react for a period oftime of about 45 minutes to about 50 minutes, about 45 minutes to about60 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 45 minutes toabout 80 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 45 minutesto about 100 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 45minutes to about 140 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 160 minutes,about 45 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 60minutes, about 50 minutes to about 70 minutes, about 50 minutes to about80 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 50 minutes toabout 100 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 50minutes to about 140 minutes, about 50 minutes to about 160 minutes,about 50 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 70minutes, about 60 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 60 minutes to about90 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 60 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 140 minutes, about 60minutes to about 160 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 180 minutes,about 70 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 90minutes, about 70 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 70 minutes toabout 120 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 140 minutes, about 70minutes to about 160 minutes, about 70 minutes to about 180 minutes,about 80 minutes to about 90 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 100minutes, about 80 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 80 minutes toabout 140 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 160 minutes, about 80minutes to about 180 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 100 minutes,about 90 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 90 minutes to about 140minutes, about 90 minutes to about 160 minutes, about 90 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 120 minutes, about 100minutes to about 140 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 160 minutes,about 100 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 120 minutes to about 140minutes, about 120 minutes to about 160 minutes, about 120 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 140 minutes to about 160 minutes, about 140minutes to about 180 minutes, or about 160 minutes to about 180 minutes.Some embodiments further comprise allowing the third solution and themineral solution to react for a period of time of about 45 minutes,about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes,about 90 minutes, about 100 minutes, about 120 minutes, about 140minutes, about 160 minutes, or about 180 minutes.

Some embodiments further comprise agitating the third solution. In someembodiments the agitation occurs for a period of time of about 45minutes to about 360 minutes. In some embodiments the agitation occursfor a period of time of at least about 45 minutes. In some embodimentsthe agitation occurs for a period of time of at most about 360 minutes.In some embodiments the agitation occurs for a period of time of about45 minutes to about 60 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 80 minutes,about 45 minutes to about 100 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 140minutes, about 45 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 45 minutes toabout 220 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 260 minutes, about 45minutes to about 300 minutes, about 45 minutes to about 360 minutes,about 60 minutes to about 80 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 100minutes, about 60 minutes to about 140 minutes, about 60 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 220 minutes, about 60minutes to about 260 minutes, about 60 minutes to about 300 minutes,about 60 minutes to about 360 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 100minutes, about 80 minutes to about 140 minutes, about 80 minutes toabout 180 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 220 minutes, about 80minutes to about 260 minutes, about 80 minutes to about 300 minutes,about 80 minutes to about 360 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 140minutes, about 100 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 100 minutes toabout 220 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 260 minutes, about 100minutes to about 300 minutes, about 100 minutes to about 360 minutes,about 140 minutes to about 180 minutes, about 140 minutes to about 220minutes, about 140 minutes to about 260 minutes, about 140 minutes toabout 300 minutes, about 140 minutes to about 360 minutes, about 180minutes to about 220 minutes, about 180 minutes to about 260 minutes,about 180 minutes to about 300 minutes, about 180 minutes to about 360minutes, about 220 minutes to about 260 minutes, about 220 minutes toabout 300 minutes, about 220 minutes to about 360 minutes, about 260minutes to about 300 minutes, about 260 minutes to about 360 minutes, orabout 300 minutes to about 360 minutes. In some embodiments theagitation occurs for a period of time of about 45 minutes, about 60minutes, about 80 minutes, about 100 minutes, about 140 minutes, about180 minutes, about 220 minutes, about 260 minutes, about 300 minutes, orabout 360 minutes.

Some embodiments further comprise purifying the reduced carbon-basedoxide material. In some embodiments purifying the reduced carbon-basedoxide material comprises filtering with a second filter, flushing thethird solution, or any combination thereof. In some embodimentsfiltering the reduced carbon-based oxide material comprises centrifugalfiltering, dead-end filtering, tangential-flow filtering, stationaryphase filtering, dynamic phase filtering, surface filtering, depthfiltering, vacuum filtering, recirculation filtering, or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments the second filter comprises a Buchnerfunnel, a surface filter, a sieve, a filter paper, a belt filter, a drumfilter, a cross-flow filter, a screen filter, a depth filter, apolymeric membrane, a ceramic membrane, a hollow filter, a stainlesssteel filter, a stainless steel mesh, a carbon fiber mesh, amicrofilter, an ultrafilter, a membrane, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the second filter has a pore size of about 0.5microns to about 5 microns. In some embodiments the second filter has apore size of at least about 0.5 microns. In some embodiments the secondfilter has a pore size of at most about 5 microns. In some embodimentsthe second filter has a pore size of about 0.5 microns to about 1micron, about 0.5 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.5 microns toabout 2 microns, about 0.5 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 0.5microns to about 3 microns, about 0.5 microns to about 3.5 microns,about 0.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 0.5 microns to about 4.5microns, about 0.5 microns to about 5 microns, about 1 micron to about1.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 2 microns, about 1 micron to about2.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 3 microns, about 1 micron to about3.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 4 microns, about 1 micron to about4.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 5 microns, about 1.5 microns toabout 2 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 1.5microns to about 3 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 3.5 microns,about 1.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 4.5microns, about 1.5 microns to about 5 microns, about 2 microns to about2.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 3 microns, about 2 microns toabout 3.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 4 microns, about 2 micronsto about 4.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 5 microns, about 2.5microns to about 3 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 3.5 microns,about 2.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 4.5microns, about 2.5 microns to about 5 microns, about 3 microns to about3.5 microns, about 3 microns to about 4 microns, about 3 microns toabout 4.5 microns, about 3 microns to about 5 microns, about 3.5 micronsto about 4 microns, about 3.5 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 3.5microns to about 5 microns, about 4 microns to about 4.5 microns, about4 microns to about 5 microns, or about 4.5 microns to about 5 microns.In some embodiments the second filter has a pore size of about 0.5microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 2.5microns, about 3 microns, about 3.5 microns, about 4 microns, about 4.5microns, or about 5 microns.

In some embodiments the reduced carbon-based oxide material is purifieduntil its conductivity is about 1 S/m to about 10 S/m. In someembodiments the reduced carbon-based oxide material is purified untilits conductivity is at least about 1 S/m. In some embodiments thereduced carbon-based oxide material is purified until its conductivityis at most about 10 S/m. In some embodiments the reduced carbon-basedoxide material is purified until its conductivity is about 1 S/m toabout 2 S/m, about 1 S/m to about 3 S/m, about 1 S/m to about 4 S/m,about 1 S/m to about 5 S/m, about 1 S/m to about 6 S/m, about 1 S/m toabout 7 S/m, about 1 S/m to about 8 S/m, about 1 S/m to about 9 S/m,about 1 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 2 S/m to about 3 S/m, about 2 S/m toabout 4 S/m, about 2 S/m to about 5 S/m, about 2 S/m to about 6 S/m,about 2 S/m to about 7 S/m, about 2 S/m to about 8 S/m, about 2 S/m toabout 9 S/m, about 2 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 3 S/m to about 4 S/m,about 3 S/m to about 5 S/m, about 3 S/m to about 6 S/m, about 3 S/m toabout 7 S/m, about 3 S/m to about 8 S/m, about 3 S/m to about 9 S/m,about 3 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 4 S/m to about 5 S/m, about 4 S/m toabout 6 S/m, about 4 S/m to about 7 S/m, about 4 S/m to about 8 S/m,about 4 S/m to about 9 S/m, about 4 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 5 S/m toabout 6 S/m, about 5 S/m to about 7 S/m, about 5 S/m to about 8 S/m,about 5 S/m to about 9 S/m, about 5 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 6 S/m toabout 7 S/m, about 6 S/m to about 8 S/m, about 6 S/m to about 9 S/m,about 6 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 7 S/m to about 8 S/m, about 7 S/m toabout 9 S/m, about 7 S/m to about 10 S/m, about 8 S/m to about 9 S/m,about 8 S/m to about 10 S/m, or about 9 S/m to about 10 S/m. In someembodiments the reduced carbon-based oxide material is purified untilits conductivity is about 1 S/m, about 2 S/m, about 3 S/m, about 4 S/m,about 5 S/m, about 6 S/m, about 7 S/m, about 8 S/m, about 9 S/m, orabout 10 S/m. In some embodiments the reduced carbon-based oxidematerial is purified until its conductivity is at least about 1 S/m, atleast about 2 S/m, at least about 3 S/m, at least about 4 S/m, at leastabout 5 S/m, at least about 6 S/m, at least about 7 S/m, at least about8 S/m, at least about 9 S/m, or at least about 10 S/m.

In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material comprises a singlelayer. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material comprises aplurality of layers. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide materialcomprises graphite, graphite oxide, reduced carbon-based, aninterconnected corrugated carbon-based network (ICCN), or porous carbonsheet(s) (PCS).

In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material has an ionicconductivity of about 5 μS/cm to about 400 μS/cm. In some embodimentsthe carbon-based oxide material has an ionic conductivity of at leastabout 5 μS/cm. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material hasan ionic conductivity of at most about 400 μS/cm. In some embodimentsthe carbon-based oxide material has an ionic conductivity of about 5μS/cm to about 10 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 20 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cmto about 50 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 75 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 150 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm toabout 200 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 250 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm toabout 300 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm to about 350 μS/cm, about 5 μS/cm toabout 400 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 20 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 50 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 75 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 150 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 200 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 250 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 300 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm to about 350 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm toabout 400 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 50 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 75 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 150 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 200 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 250 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 300 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm toabout 350 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm to about 400 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm toabout 75 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm to about 100 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm toabout 150 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm to about 200 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm toabout 250 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm to about 300 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm toabout 350 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm to about 400 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm toabout 100 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm to about 150 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm toabout 200 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm to about 250 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm toabout 300 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm to about 350 μS/cm, about 75 μS/cm toabout 400 μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm to about 150 μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm toabout 200 μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm to about 250 μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm toabout 300 μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm to about 350 μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm toabout 400 μS/cm, about 150 μS/cm to about 200 μS/cm, about 150 μS/cm toabout 250 μS/cm, about 150 μS/cm to about 300 μS/cm, about 150 μS/cm toabout 350 μS/cm, about 150 μS/cm to about 400 μS/cm, about 200 μS/cm toabout 250 μS/cm, about 200 μS/cm to about 300 μS/cm, about 200 μS/cm toabout 350 μS/cm, about 200 μS/cm to about 400 μS/cm, about 250 μS/cm toabout 300 μS/cm, about 250 μS/cm to about 350 μS/cm, about 250 μS/cm toabout 400 μS/cm, about 300 μS/cm to about 350 μS/cm, about 300 μS/cm toabout 400 μS/cm, or about 350 μS/cm to about 400 μS/cm. In someembodiments the carbon-based oxide material has an ionic conductivity ofabout 5 μS/cm, about 10 μS/cm, about 20 μS/cm, about 50 μS/cm, about 75μS/cm, about 100 μS/cm, about 150 μS/cm, about 200 μS/cm, about 250μS/cm, about 300 μS/cm, about 350 μS/cm, or about 400 μS/cm. In someembodiments the carbon-based oxide material has an ionic conductivity ofat least about 5 μS/cm, at least about 10 μS/cm, at least about 20μS/cm, at least about 50 μS/cm, at least about 75 μS/cm, at least about100 μS/cm, at least about 150 μS/cm, at least about 200 μS/cm, at leastabout 250 μS/cm, at least about 300 μS/cm, at least about 350 μS/cm, orat least about 400 μS/cm.

In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material has a purity ofabout 80% to about 99%. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxidematerial has a purity of at least about 80%. In some embodiments thecarbon-based oxide material has a purity of at most about 99%. In someembodiments the carbon-based oxide material has a purity of about 80% toabout 82%, about 80% to about 84%, about 80% to about 86%, about 80% toabout 88%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 92%, about 80% toabout 94%, about 80% to about 96%, about 80% to about 98%, about 80% toabout 99%, about 82% to about 84%, about 82% to about 86%, about 82% toabout 88%, about 82% to about 90%, about 82% to about 92%, about 82% toabout 94%, about 82% to about 96%, about 82% to about 98%, about 82% toabout 99%, about 84% to about 86%, about 84% to about 88%, about 84% toabout 90%, about 84% to about 92%, about 84% to about 94%, about 84% toabout 96%, about 84% to about 98%, about 84% to about 99%, about 86% toabout 88%, about 86% to about 90%, about 86% to about 92%, about 86% toabout 94%, about 86% to about 96%, about 86% to about 98%, about 86% toabout 99%, about 88% to about 90%, about 88% to about 92%, about 88% toabout 94%, about 88% to about 96%, about 88% to about 98%, about 88% toabout 99%, about 90% to about 92%, about 90% to about 94%, about 90% toabout 96%, about 90% to about 98%, about 90% to about 99%, about 92% toabout 94%, about 92% to about 96%, about 92% to about 98%, about 92% toabout 99%, about 94% to about 96%, about 94% to about 98%, about 94% toabout 99%, about 96% to about 98%, about 96% to about 99%, or about 98%to about 99%. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material has apurity of about 80%, about 82%, about 84%, about 86%, about 88%, about90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 96%, about 98%, or about 99%. In someembodiments the carbon-based oxide material has a purity of at leastabout 80%, at least about 82%, at least about 84%, at least about 86%,at least about 88%, at least about 90%, at least about 92%, at leastabout 94%, at least about 96%, at least about 98%, or at least about99%.

In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide material comprises a carboncontent by weight of about 1% to about 99%. In some embodiments thecarbon-based oxide material comprises a carbon content by weight of atleast about 1%. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide materialcomprises a carbon content by weight of at most about 99%. In someembodiments the carbon-based oxide material comprises a carbon contentby weight of about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% toabout 20%, about 1% to about 30%, about 1% to about 40%, about 1% toabout 50%, about 1% to about 60%, about 1% to about 70%, about 1% toabout 80%, about 1% to about 90%, about 1% to about 99%, about 5% toabout 10%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% toabout 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% toabout 70%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% toabout 99%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% toabout 40%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% toabout 70%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% toabout 99%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% toabout 50%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% toabout 80%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 99%, about 30% toabout 40%, about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% toabout 70%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% toabout 99%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% toabout 70%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 90%, about 40% toabout 99%, about 50% to about 60%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% toabout 80%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 99%, about 60% toabout 70%, about 60% to about 80%, about 60% to about 90%, about 60% toabout 99%, about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% toabout 99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 99%, or about 90%to about 99%. In some embodiments the carbon-based oxide materialcomprises a carbon content by weight of about 1%, about 5%, about 10%,about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about80%, about 90%, or about 99%.

In some embodiments, the method taught herein is capable of producing athroughput of carbon-based oxide material of about 0.1 pound/day toabout 50 pounds/day. In some embodiments, the method taught herein iscapable of producing a throughput of carbon-based oxide material of atleast about 0.1 pound/day. In some embodiments, the method taught hereinis capable of producing a throughput of carbon-based oxide material ofat most about 50 pounds/day. In some embodiments, the method taughtherein is capable of producing a throughput of carbon-based oxidematerial of about 0.1 pound/day to about 0.5 pound/day, about 0.1pound/day to about 1 pound/day, about 0.1 pound/day to about 2pounds/day, about 0.1 pound/day to about 5 pounds/day, about 0.1pound/day to about 10 pounds/day, about 0.1 pound/day to about 20pounds/day, about 0.1 pound/day to about 30 pounds/day, about 0.1pound/day to about 40 pounds/day, about 0.1 pound/day to about 50pounds/day, about 0.5 pound/day to about 1 pound/day, about 0.5pound/day to about 2 pounds/day, about 0.5 pound/day to about 5pounds/day, about 0.5 pound/day to about 10 pounds/day, about 0.5pound/day to about 20 pounds/day, about 0.5 pound/day to about 30pounds/day, about 0.5 pound/day to about 40 pounds/day, about 0.5pound/day to about 50 pounds/day, about 1 pound/day to about 2pounds/day, about 1 pound/day to about 5 pounds/day, about 1 pound/dayto about 10 pounds/day, about 1 pound/day to about 20 pounds/day, about1 pound/day to about 30 pounds/day, about 1 pound/day to about 40pounds/day, about 1 pound/day to about 50 pounds/day, about 2 pounds/dayto about 5 pounds/day, about 2 pounds/day to about 10 pounds/day, about2 pounds/day to about 20 pounds/day, about 2 pounds/day to about 30pounds/day, about 2 pounds/day to about 40 pounds/day, about 2pounds/day to about 50 pounds/day, about 5 pounds/day to about 10pounds/day, about 5 pounds/day to about 20 pounds/day, about 5pounds/day to about 30 pounds/day, about 5 pounds/day to about 40pounds/day, about 5 pounds/day to about 50 pounds/day, about 10pounds/day to about 20 pounds/day, about 10 pounds/day to about 30pounds/day, about 10 pounds/day to about 40 pounds/day, about 10pounds/day to about 50 pounds/day, about 20 pounds/day to about 30pounds/day, about 20 pounds/day to about 40 pounds/day, about 20pounds/day to about 50 pounds/day, about 30 pounds/day to about 40pounds/day, about 30 pounds/day to about 50 pounds/day, or about 40pounds/day to about 50 pounds/day. In some embodiments, the methodtaught herein is capable of producing a throughput of carbon-based oxidematerial of about 0.1 pound/day, about 0.5 pound/day, about 1 pound/day,about 2 pounds/day, about 5 pounds/day, about 10 pounds/day, about 20pounds/day, about 30 pounds/day, about 40 pounds/day, or about 50pounds/day. In some embodiments, the method taught herein is capable ofproducing a throughput of carbon-based oxide material of at least about0.1 pound/day, at least about 0.5 pound/day, at least about 1 pound/day,at least about 2 pounds/day, at least about 5 pounds/day, at least about10 pounds/day, at least about 20 pounds/day, at least about 30pounds/day, at least about 40 pounds/day, or at least about 50pounds/day.

In some embodiments, an aspect provided herein is a method for producinggraphite oxide comprising steps of: providing a graphite powder andsulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) mixture while cooling the graphite powder andH₂SO₄ mixture to a first predetermined temperature; adding apredetermined amount of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) to the graphitepowder and H₂SO₄ mixture to make a graphite oxidizing mixture; agitatingthe graphite oxidizing mixture for a predetermined amount of time;cooling the graphite oxidizing mixture to a second predeterminedtemperature; and adding a predetermined amount of hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂) to the graphite oxidizing mixture to yield the graphite oxide.

In some embodiments, the method for producing graphite oxide furthercomprises purifying the graphite oxide by rinsing the graphite oxidewith water.

In some embodiments, the method for producing graphite oxide furthercomprises purifying the graphite oxide by chemistry dialysis.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined temperature resulting fromcooling the graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture is about 0° C. In someembodiments, the first predetermined temperature resulting from coolingthe graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture ranges from about −10° C. to about15° C. In some embodiments, a reaction temperature of the graphiteoxidizing mixture is prevented from rising above about 15° C. whileadding the predetermined amount of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) to thegraphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture. In some embodiments, about 1 kilogramof graphite powder is used for every 50 liters H₂SO₄ in the graphitepowder and H₂SO₄ mixture. In some embodiments, the H₂SO₄ ranges inconcentration from about 96% to about 98%. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of KMnO₄ is about 6 kilograms of KMnO₄ for every 1kilogram of graphite powder. In some embodiments, agitating comprisesstirring at a rate that ranges from about 50 rpm to about 150 rpm. Insome embodiments, a predetermined time for agitating the graphiteoxidizing mixture ranges from about 45 minutes to about 300 minutes. Insome embodiments, cooling the graphite oxidizing mixture to the secondpredetermined temperature is achieved by quenching the graphiteoxidizing mixture. In some embodiments, cooling the graphite oxidizingmixture to the second predetermined temperature is achieved by quenchingthe graphite oxidizing mixture with water and/or ice. In someembodiments, second predetermined temperature is about 0° C. In someembodiments, the second predetermined temperature ranges from about 0°C. to about 10° C. In some embodiments, the H₂O₂ is an aqueous solutionhaving a concentration of about 30%. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of the aqueous solution having a concentration ofabout 30% H₂O₂ is about 1 liter for every 10 liters of H₂SO₄. In someembodiments, H₂SO₄ is an aqueous solution having a concentration betweenabout 96% and 98%.

A second aspect provided herein is a method for producing reducedgraphite oxide comprising steps of: providing an aqueous solutioncomprising graphite oxide; heating the aqueous solution comprising thegraphite oxide to a first predetermined temperature; adding hydrogenperoxide (H₂O₂) to the aqueous solution over a period of about 1 hourwhile maintaining the first predetermined temperature, thereby forming afirst mixture; heating the first mixture at the first predeterminedtemperature for about 3 hours; adding sodium ascorbate over a period ofabout 30 minutes, thereby forming a second mixture; heating the secondmixture at the first predetermined temperature about 1.5 hours to yieldthe reduced graphite oxide.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined temperature is about 90° C.In some embodiments, the reduced graphite oxide comprises porous carbonsheet(s) (PCS). In some embodiments, the graphite oxide in the aqueoussolution is a graphene oxide.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description in association with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantagesof the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the followingdetailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in whichthe principles of the embodiments are utilized, and the accompanyingdrawings or figures (also “FIG.” and “FIGs.” herein), of which:

FIG. 1 illustratively depicts a diagram of a first exemplary method ofproducing carbon-based oxide (CBO) or reduced carbon-based oxide (rCBO)materials, per embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustratively depicts a diagram of a second exemplary method ofproducing CBO or rCBO materials, per embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary graph showing the relationship between thecapacitance and the reaction time, and the relationship between thereaction temperature and the reaction time, per embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary graph showing the relationship between thecapacitance and the reaction time, and the relationship between thereaction temperature and the reaction time, per embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary graph showing the relationship between thecapacitance and the reaction time, and the relationship between thereaction temperature and the reaction time, per embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan of an exemplary double-layercapacitor constructed from a CBO material with a 45 min stir time, atscan rates of 10 mV/s, 20 mV/s, 40 mV/s, 60 mV/s, and 100 mV/s, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 7A is a cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan of an exemplary double-layercapacitor with electrodes comprising light-scribed CBO materials, at ascan rate of 1,000 mV/s, per embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7B is a cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan of an exemplary double-layercapacitor with electrodes comprising light-scribed CBO materials, andnon-light-scribed CBO materials, at a scan rate of 1,000 mV/s, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 displays an exemplary relationship between the number HCl washesand the capacitance of the CBO material, at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 illustratively depicts several carbon forms, per embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 10 illustratively depicts an example of another carbon form, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 11 illustratively depicts an example of yet another carbon form,per embodiments described herein.

FIG. 12 is a particle distribution chart of an exemplary CBO, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 13 is an X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) graph of an exemplary CBO, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 14 is an X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) graph of anexemplary CBO, per embodiments described herein.

FIG. 15 is a particle size distribution chart of an exemplary rCBO, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 16 is a Raman spectra of an exemplary rCBO, per embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 17 is optical microscope image of sheets of an exemplary CBO on asilicon wafer, coated with SiO₂, per embodiments described herein.

FIG. 18A is a low magnification scanning electron microscope (SEM) imageof an exemplary CBO on a silicon wafer, coated with SiO₂, perembodiments described herein.

FIG. 18B is a high magnification scanning electron microscope (SEM)image of an exemplary CBO on a silicon wafer, coated with SiO₂, perembodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The methods herein may include procedures of making oxidized forms ofcarbon-based materials, procedures of making materials derived from theoxidized forms of carbon-based materials, or both. In some embodiments,the methods herein may include procedures of making oxidized forms ofgraphite, procedures of making materials derived from the oxidized formsof graphite, or both. The methods herein comprise procedures of makinggraphene/graphite oxide (GO) and reduced graphene/graphite oxide (rGO).In some embodiments disclosed herein, GO is formed from graphite in afirst reaction comprising oxidation, is treated (e.g.,filtered/purified, concentrated, etc.), and may be reduced (e.g., tographene, ICCN, or any other materials derived through reduction of GO)in a second reaction. In some embodiments, the second reaction comprisesreduction, wherein, for example, a GO may be reduced to form graphene,ICCN and/or other reduced forms of GO, collectively referred to hereinas reduced graphite or graphene oxide (rGO).

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications areconsidered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

Current Methods of Synthesizing Carbon-Based Oxide and ReducedCarbon-Based Oxide Materials

Existing methods for production of carbon-based oxide (CBO) and reducedcarbon-based oxide (rCBO) materials include the Hummers method, themodified Hummers method, and various modifications thereof. Such methodsare referred to herein as Hummers-based methods. Recognized herein arelimitations associated with the Hummers-based methods.

In some embodiments, Hummers-based methods may be currently exhibit alow throughput, high cost, high waste quantities, and low reliability.In an example, a Hummers-based method takes about 2 months, requiresseveral weeks of purification, costs about $93/kg, comprises expensivehydrochloric acid (HCl) washes, requires a certain technique that isleft to the judgment of the individual scientist, and synthesizes aproduct that is often unacceptable for forming consumer grade products.

An exemplary Hummers-based method, per FIG. 1, comprises:

-   -   1. Adding 15 grams (g) graphite to 750 milliliters (mL)        concentrated sulfuric acid into a reaction flask that is kept at        0° C. using ice bath.    -   2. Adding 90 g potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) to the graphite        and sulfuric acid (exothermic).    -   3. Removing the reaction flask from ice bath for 2 hours.    -   4. Returning the reaction flask into ice bath.    -   5. Adding 1.5 liters (L) of water (H₂O) drop-wise over the        course of about 1-1.5 hours while maintaining a reaction        temperature at 45° C. (controlling the temperature by the rate        of addition of water and by adding ice to a melting ice bath).    -   6. Removing the reaction flask from ice bath for 2 hours.    -   7. Quenching the reaction with 4.2 L H₂O and then 75 mL 30%        hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).    -   8. Purifying with five HCl washes, followed by nine H₂O washes,        allowing the solution to air dry for about 2 weeks, rehydrating        the dried graphite oxide with water, and 2 weeks of dialysis.

Methods of Synthesizing Carbon-Based Oxide and Reduced Carbon-BasedOxide Materials

The method of the present disclosure provides for a faster, safer,cheaper, and consistent procedure for synthesizing CBO and rCBOmaterials. In some embodiments, the present disclosure providesprocedures or methods for synthesizing graphite oxide and reducedgraphite oxide (e.g., graphene, PCS, or ICCN). In contrast with othermethods of making graphite oxide, the method of the present disclosureis capable of tuning the oxidation characteristics and the amount ofexfoliation, is safer than other methods because the lower reactiontemperatures reduce the risk of explosion, reduces the of reagents,enables expedited purification without the use of costly HCl, isconfigured to be fully scalable, enables increased throughput, andsynthesizes a product the mechanical and electrical characteristics ofwhich are consistent and tunable and which can be efficiently andaccurately light or laser scribed.

In some embodiments, the methods described herein for synthesizing CBOand rCBO materials are safer because one or more of the reactions areperformed at a temperature of less than 45° C., wherein the reactions ofcurrent methods may exceed 75° C.

In some embodiments, the method of the present disclosure is capable ofsynthesizing at least about 1 pound per day of a CBO or a rCBO material,including the time for purification. In some embodiments, the process islimited only by the size of the reactor, which enables the production ofCBO and rCBO materials on the ton scale. In some embodiments, themethods described herein for synthesizing CBO and rCBO materials takesless than or equal to 1 week, wherein current methods require 2, 5 or 8times as much time. In one example, the methods described herein forsynthesizing CBO and rCBO materials costs about $21/kg, whereincurrently available methods cost about $93/kg (a difference of more thanfourfold). Further, in some embodiments, the method described hereinforms less waste per mass of the CBO or rCBO materials than othermethods.

In some embodiments, the method of the present disclosure provides a CBOor rCBO material whose composition (e.g., C:O atomic ratio, quantity ofoxygen functionality, etc.) and/or morphology is repeatable to withinabout 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% over a range ofsamples. In one example, the method of the present disclosure is capableof producing a GO with a C:O atomic ratio repeatable to within about 1%,2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% over a number of batches andsamples. In some embodiments, the improved reliability of the methoddescribed herein may be due to the lower reaction temperature.

In some embodiments, a method for synthesizing a CBO material (e.g., GOor PCS) comprises oxidation (first reaction), a first purification,reduction (second reaction), and a final purification. In someembodiments, a method for synthesizing an rCBO material (e.g., rGO)comprises oxidation, purification, reduction, and final purification.

In some embodiments, the process of oxidizing a carbon-based comprises afirst reaction comprising: mixing graphite powder and sulfuric acid(H₂SO₄) while cooling the graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture to a firstpredetermined temperature; adding a predetermined amount of potassiumpermanganate (KMnO₄) to the graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture to form agraphite oxidizing mixture; agitating the graphite oxidizing mixture fora predetermined amount of time (e.g., after the addition of thepredetermined amount of KMnO₄ has been completed); cooling the graphiteoxidizing mixture to a second predetermined temperature; and adding apredetermined amount of hydrogen peroxide H₂O₂ and/or ice to thegraphite oxidizing mixture to yield graphite oxide.

In some embodiments, the sulfuric acid and the graphite are premixed tominimize graphite dust, and are added to the reactor rapidly. In someembodiments, the mixing speed during one or more reaction processes isabout 100 rpm. In some embodiments, a reaction is chilled by one or morecooling coils, ice, water, a coolant, or any combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the volumes, quantities, masses, and time periods maybe suitably scaled for production on a large scale.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined temperature resulting fromcooling the graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture is about 0° C. In someembodiments, the first predetermined temperature resulting from coolingthe graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture is about −10° C. to about 15° C.In some embodiments, the first predetermined temperature resulting fromcooling the graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture is greater than or equalto about −10° C., −9° C., −8° C., −7° C., −6° C., −5° C., −4° C., −3°C., −2° C., −1° C., or 0° C. but less than or equal to about 1° C., 2°C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C., 12°C., 13° C., 14° C., or 15° C.

In some embodiments, the potassium permanganate is added to the graphitepowder and H₂SO₄ mixture at a set rate to keep the exothermic (e.g.,self-heated) reaction temperature below about 15° C. In someembodiments, the reaction temperature of the graphite oxidizing mixturewhile adding the predetermined amount of KMnO₄ to the graphite powderand H₂SO₄ mixture is less than or equal to about 15° C., 14° C., 13° C.,12° C., 11° C., 10° C., 9° C., 8° C., 7° C., 6° C., 5° C., 4° C., 3° C.,2° C., or 1° C. In some embodiments, the reaction temperature of thegraphite oxidizing mixture while the predetermined amount of KMnO₄ isadded to the graphite powder and H₂SO₄ mixture is less than about 15° C.

In some embodiments, the agitating may comprise stirring at a stirringrates of about 50 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 150 rpm. In someembodiments, the agitating may include stirring at a rate of at leastabout 50 rpm, 60 rpm, 70 rpm, 80 rpm, 90 rpm, 100 rpm, 110 rpm, 120 rpm,130 rpm, 140 rpm, or 150 rpm. In some embodiments, the agitating maycomprise stirring at a stirring rates of less than about 150 rpm. Insome embodiments, the predetermined time for agitating the graphiteoxidizing mixture is about 45 minutes to about 300 minutes. In someembodiments, the predetermined time for agitating the graphite oxidizingmixture is at least about 45 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes, 70minutes, 80 minutes, 90 minutes, 100 minutes, 120 minutes, 140 minutes,160 minutes, 180 minutes, 200 minutes, 220 minutes, 240 minutes, 260minutes, 280 minutes, or 300 minutes. In some embodiments, thepredetermined time for agitating the graphite oxidizing mixture is atleast between 45 minutes and 60 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes, 120minutes and 180 minutes, 180 minutes and 260 minutes, and 260 minutesand 300 minutes. In some embodiments, the predetermined time may or maynot depend upon the stirring rate. In some embodiments, thepredetermined time is independent of the stirring rate beyond a giventhreshold (e.g., a minimum stirring rate) and/or within a given range ofstirring rates. In some embodiments, the reaction temperature of thegraphite oxidizing mixture during the agitating is maintained belowabout 45° C. In some embodiments, the reaction temperature of thegraphite oxidizing mixture during the agitating is maintained at lessthan or equal to about 15° C.

In some embodiments, cooling the graphite oxidizing mixture to thesecond predetermined temperature is achieved by quenching the graphiteoxidizing mixture. In some embodiments, cooling the graphite oxidizingmixture to the second predetermined temperature is achieved by quenchingthe graphite oxidizing mixture with water, ice, a cooling coil, acoolant, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the secondpredetermined temperature is about 0° C. In some embodiments, the secondpredetermined temperature is about 0° C. to about 10° C. In someembodiments, the second predetermined temperature is greater than orequal to about 0° C. but less than or equal to about 1° C., 2° C., 3°C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., or 10° C.

In some embodiments, the first reaction (oxidation) of the methodprovided herein for synthesizing a single-layer CBO or rCBO comprises:mixing graphene and sulfuric acid; chilling the solution; addingpotassium permanganate powder; cooling the reaction; adding crushed iceto the reaction; stirring the solution; and quenching the reaction. Inthese embodiments, the graphite comprises 325sh natural flake graphite.In one example, about 32 L of 98% sulfuric acid and about 4.8 kg ofpotassium permanganate powder is used for every kilogram of graphite. Inone example, the temperature of the solution is maintained by one ormore cooling coils, wherein the reaction temperature is maintained atabout −10° C. by setting the cooling coils' temperature to −2° C. Inthese embodiments, the potassium permanganate powder is adding over aperiod of about 1.5 hours, while maintaining a reaction temperature ofbelow about 15° C. In one example, the temperature of the solution ismaintained by one or more cooling coils, wherein the reactiontemperature is allowed to heat up to about 20-30° C. over about 1.5 toabout 2 hours by raising the reaction coil temperature to about 12° C.In one example, the temperature of the solution is maintained by one ormore cooling coils, wherein the reaction temperature is furthermaintained at about 30° C. for approximately 30 minutes by cooling thereaction coils to about −2° C. In these embodiments, the about 32 kg ofcrushed ice is added to the reaction over the course of about 1 hour,wherein the reaction temperature climbs to about 50° C. In theseembodiments, the solution is stirred or agitated for about 1 hour. Inthese embodiments, quenching the reaction is performed by adding about72 kg of ice and/or 30% hydrogen peroxide (about 2 L) per kilogram ofgraphite, to stop and neutralize the reaction.

In some embodiments, the first reaction (oxidation) of the methodprovided herein to produce a multi-layer CBO or rCBO comprises: mixinggraphene and sulfuric acid to form a solution; chilling the solution;adding potassium permanganate powder to the solution; stirring thesolution and the potassium permanganate; and quenching the reaction. Inthis embodiment, the graphite is highly exfoliated, milled, small flake,large surface area, 9 micron flake sized, or any combination thereof. Inthese embodiments, about 25 L of 98% sulfuric acid and about 2 kg ofpotassium permanganate powder are used per kilogram of graphite. In oneexample, the temperature of the solution is maintained by one or morecooling coils, wherein the solution is chilled to a temperature of about−10° C. by setting the cooling coils to about −2° C. In one example, thepotassium permanganate powder is adding over a period of about 45minutes to about 1.5 hours to keep the reaction temperature below about15° C. In these embodiment, the potassium permanganate, graphite, andsulfuric acid react for a period of time of about 30 minutes at reactiontemperature of about 15° C. In these embodiments, the solution isstirred or agitated for about 30 minutes at a reaction temperature ofabout 15° C. In these embodiments, quenching the reaction is performedby adding about 125 kg of ice and/or 1 L of 30% hydrogen peroxide tostop and neutralize the reaction.

In some embodiments, the first purification step after the firstreaction comprises a first filtration which removes impurities, such assulfuric acid, manganese oxides, and manganese sulfate, and increasesthe pH of the solution to at least about 5. In some embodiments, thefirst purification step comprises rinsing the GO with water (e.g.,deionized water), purifying the graphite oxide by chemistry dialysis, ora combination thereof (e.g., rinsing followed by dialysis). In someembodiments, the sulfuric acid concentration of the CBO after the firstreaction is about 30% or about 60% for a single-layer or multi-layerCBO/rCBO, respectively, corresponding to a pH of approximately 0. Insome embodiments, filtration is complete when the pH of the solution isabout 5, corresponding to an acid concentration of about 0.00005%. Insome embodiments, the first filtration comprises post-oxidationpurification. In some embodiments, the concentration of GO in thesolution after filtration is about 1% by mass (e.g., 1 kg GO in 100 L ofaqueous solution).

In some embodiments, the CBO or rCBO is concentrated after purificationto remove water and/or acid, to form a solution of, for example, 1% GOby weight. In some embodiments a given GO percentage by weight isrequired for certain applications, and to form dry powders and aqueoussolutions.

In some embodiments, the reduction of CBO or GO to form rCBO or rGO,respectively, comprises a second reaction. In some embodiments, thesecond reaction comprises heating the CBO to about 90° C. and addinghydrogen peroxide over the course of about an hour. In some embodiments,the second reaction further comprises adding sodium ascorbate (e.g.,C₆H₇NaO₆) over the course of about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes. Inone example, the second reaction uses about 1 L to about 2 L of 30%hydrogen peroxide, and about 5 kg of sodium ascorbate (sodium salt ofascorbic acid) per kg of GO in about 100 liters of. In some embodiments,the reaction continues to heat at about 90° C. for about 1.5 to about 3more hours, before the addition of sodium ascorbate. In someembodiments, the reaction continues to heat at about 90° C. for a timeperiod of about 1.5 hours, wherein the reaction occurs at a temperatureof 90° C. for about 6 hours.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the GO by mass in the solutionprior to the second reaction is about 0% to about 2% (e.g., 0-2 kg/100 Lof aqueous solution). In some embodiments, the concentration of GO bymass is between about 0% and 0.5%, 0% and 1%, 0% and 1.5%, 0% and 2%,0.5% and 1%, 0.5% and 1.5%, 0.5% and 2%, 1% and 1.5%, 1% and 2%, or 1.5%and 2%. In some embodiments, the concentration of GO by mass is lessthan about 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or less. In some embodiments,the concentration of the GO is limited by the quantity of GO that may bedissolved in water while maintaining the fluidity required formanufacturing. In some embodiments, the solution becomes viscous at aconcentration of 2% or more, (i.e., 2 kg or more of GO in 100 L ofwater). In some embodiments, a higher concentration (e.g., 1% by mass)reduces the required volume of water, which may decrease filtration timebecause the larger the volume of the solution, the longer the filtrationprocess. In some embodiments, a quantity of water is filtered out at theend of the second reaction

In some embodiments, the volume 30% hydrogen peroxide per kilogram of GOis between about 10 L and 100 L, or between about 1 kg and 10 kg. Insome embodiments, the volume of hydrogen peroxide per kilogram of GO(e.g., with a concentration of about 30% by weight) is between about 10L and 20 L, 10 L and 30 L, 10 L and 40 L, 10 L and 50 L, 10 L and 60 L,10 L and 70 L, 10 L and 80 L, 10 L and 90 L, 10 L and 100 L, 20 L and 30L, 20 L and 40 L, 20 L and 50 L, 20 L and 60 L, 20 L and 70 L, 20 L and80 L, 20 L and 90 L, 20 L and 100 L, 30 L and 40 L, 30 L and 50 L, 30 Land 60 L, 30 L and 70 L, 30 L and 80 L, 30 L and 90 L, 30 L and 100 L,40 L and 50 L, 40 L and 60 L, 40 L and 70 L, 40 L and 80 L, 40 L and 90L, 40 L and 100 L, 50 L and 60 L, 50 L and 70 L, 50 L and 80 L, 50 L and90 L, 50 L and 100 L, 60 L and 70 L, 60 L and 80 L, 60 L and 90 L, 60 Land 100 L, 70 L and 80 L, 70 L and 90 L, 70 L and 100 L, 80 L and 90 L,80 L and 100 L, or 90 L and 100 L. In some embodiments, the volume ofhydrogen peroxide (e.g., with a concentration of about 30% by weight)per 1 kg GO is greater than or equal to about 10 L, 20 L, 30 L, 40 L, 50L, 60 L, 70 L, 80 L, 90 L, or 100 L of hydrogen peroxide (e.g., with aconcentration of about 30% by weight). In some embodiments, the volumeof hydrogen peroxide (e.g., with a concentration of about 30% by weight)per 1 kg GO is less than about 100 L, 90 L, 80 L, 70 L, 60 L, 50 L, 40L, 30 L, 20 L, or 15 L of hydrogen peroxide (e.g., with a concentrationof about 30% by weight). In some embodiments, a volume of hydrogenperoxide equivalent to any of the aforementioned amounts of the 30%solution is added as a solution with a different concentration, or inconcentrated or pure form (e.g., 90%-100% by weight). In someembodiments, the amount of hydrogen peroxide equivalent to any of theaforementioned amounts of the 30% solution is expressed in terms ofvolume based on a 100% (or pure) solution. In some embodiments, theamount of hydrogen peroxide equivalent to any of the aforementionedamounts of the 30% solution is expressed in terms of moles or in termsof weight of hydrogen peroxide (e.g., between about 3 kg (or 88 moles)and 30 kg (or 882 moles) of (pure) H₂O₂ is provided per 1 kg GO). Insome embodiments, the amount of hydrogen peroxide equivalent to any ofthe aforementioned amounts of the 30% solution is expressed as a weightbasis of pure hydrogen peroxide per 1 kg GO of between about 3 kg and 6kg, 3 kg and 9 kg, 3 kg and 12 kg, 3 kg and 15 kg, 3 kg and 18 kg, 3 kgand 21 kg, 3 kg and 24 kg, 3 kg and 27 kg, 3 kg and 30 kg, 6 kg and 9kg, 6 kg and 12 kg, 6 kg and 15 kg, 6 kg and 18 kg, 6 kg and 21 kg, 6 kgand 24 kg, 6 kg and 27 kg, 6 kg and 30 kg, 9 kg and 12 kg, 9 kg and 15kg, 9 kg and 18 kg, 9 kg and 21 kg, 9 kg and 24 kg, 9 kg and 30 kg, 12kg and 15 kg, 12 kg and 18 kg, 12 kg and 21 kg, 12 kg and 24 kg, 12 kgand 27 kg, 12 kg and 30 kg, 15 kg and 18 kg, 15 kg and 21 kg, 15 kg and24 kg, 15 kg and 30 kg, 18 kg and 21 kg, 18 kg and 24 kg, 18 kg and 27kg, 18 kg and 30 kg, 21 kg and 24 kg, 21 kg and 27 kg, 21 kg and 30 kg,24 kg and 27 kg, 24 kg and 30 kg, or 27 kg and 30 kg. In someembodiments, the amount of pure hydrogen peroxide per 1 kg GO equivalentto any of the aforementioned amounts of the 30% solution is expressed asa weight basis, greater than or equal to about 3 kg, 6 kg, 9 kg, 12 kg,15 kg, 18 kg, 21 kg, 24 kg, or 30 kg. In some embodiments, the amount ofpure hydrogen peroxide per 1 kg GO equivalent to any of theaforementioned amounts of the 30% solution is expressed as a weightbasis as less than about 30 kg, 24 kg, 21 kg, 18 kg, 15 kg, 12 kg, 9 kg,6 kg, or 4.5 kg.

In some embodiments, the mass of sodium ascorbate per 1 kg of GO isbetween about 1 kg and 10 kg, between about 1 kg and 2 kg, 1 kg and 3kg, 1 kg and 4 kg, 1 kg and 5 kg, 1 kg and 6 kg, 1 kg and 7 kg, 1 kg and8 kg, 1 kg and 9 kg, 1 kg and 10 kg, 2 kg and 3 kg, 2 kg and 4 kg, 2 kgand 5 kg, 2 kg and 6 kg, 2 kg and 7 kg, 2 kg and 8 kg, 2 kg and 9 kg, 2kg and 10 kg, 3 kg and 4 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg, 3 kg and 6 kg, 3 kg and 7kg, 3 kg and 8 kg, 3 kg and 9 kg, 3 kg and 10 kg, 4 kg and 5 kg, 4 kgand 6 kg, 4 kg and 7 kg, 4 kg and 8 kg, 4 kg and 9 kg, 4 kg and 10 kg, 5kg and 6 kg, 5 kg and 7 kg, 5 kg and 8 kg, 5 kg and 9 kg, 5 kg and 10kg, 6 kg and 7 kg, 6 kg and 8 kg, 6 kg and 9 kg, 6 kg and 10 kg, 7 kgand 8 kg, 7 kg and 9 kg, 7 kg and 10 kg, 8 kg and 9 kg, 8 kg and 10 kg,or 9 kg and 10 kg. In some embodiments, the mass of sodium ascorbate per1 kg GO is greater than or equal to about 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg,6 kg, 7 kg, 8 kg, 9 kg, or 10 kg. In some embodiments, the mass ofsodium ascorbate per 1 kg GO is less than about 15 kg, 14 kg, 13 kg, 12kg, 11 kg, 10 kg, 9 kg, 8 kg, 7 kg, 6 kg, 5 kg, 4 kg, 3 kg, 2 kg, or 1.5kg.

In some embodiments, the reaction temperature during the second reactionis about 60° C. to about 180° C. In some embodiments, the reactiontemperature during the second reaction comprises at a variety oftemperatures or a constant temperature. In some embodiments, thereaction temperature during the second reaction is between about 60° C.and 80° C., 60° C. and 90° C., 60° C. and 100° C., 60° C. and 120° C.,60° C. and 140° C., 60° C. and 160° C., 60° C. and 180° C., 80° C. and90° C., 80° C. and 100° C., 80° C. and 120° C., 80° C. and 140° C., 80°C. and 160° C., 80° C. and 180° C., 90° C. and 100° C., 90° C. and 120°C., 90° C. and 140° C., 90° C. and 160° C., 90° C. and 180° C., 100° C.and 120° C., 100° C. and 140° C., 100° C. and 160° C., 100° C. and 180°C., 120° C. and 140° C., 120° C. and 160° C., 120° C. and 180° C., 140°C. and 160° C., 140° C. and 180° C., or 160° C. and 180° C. In someembodiments, the reaction temperature during the second reaction is oris not allowed to change or fluctuate within a given range (e.g., thetemperature for a given step is kept constant at a given temperaturewithin a given range or may fluctuate within the given range). In someembodiments, (e.g., at temperatures above about 100° C.), the reactionchamber is sealed.

In some embodiments, a percentage of the GO that is converted (hereafterreferred to as “y”) is at least about 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or100%. In some embodiments, between 90% and 95% by weight of the GO isconverted. In other embodiments, between 95% and 95.5% by weight of theGO is converted. In some embodiments, the amount of rGO produced perunit of GO depends on the oxygen content of the GO and the rGO. In someembodiments, the C:O atomic ratio of the GO is between about 4:1 and5:1, and the oxygen content of the rGO is less than or equal to about 5atomic percent. In some embodiments, the weight of rGO produced perkilogram of GO is between about 0.75y kilograms and 0.84 kilograms. Insome embodiments, the C:O atomic ratio of the GO is between about 7:3and 5:1, wherein the oxygen content of the rGO is less than or equal toabout 5 atomic percent. In some embodiments, the amount of rGO producedper mass unit of GO is between about 0.64y and 0.84. In someembodiments, the C:O atomic ratio of the GO is at least about 7:3,wherein the oxygen content of the rGO is less than or equal to about 5atomic percent. In some embodiments, the amount of rGO produced per massunit of GO is at least about 0.64y. In some embodiments, the amount ofrGO produced per mass unit of GO is at least about 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65,0.7, 0.75, or 0.8. In some embodiments, the amount of rGO produced permass unit of GO is between about 0.5 and 0.85, 0.6 and 0.8, or 0.7 and0.8 units of rGO.

In some embodiments, the second reaction is performed separately fromthe first reaction. For example, the second reaction followed by asecond filtration, may be performed using any graphite oxide feedstockwith suitable specifications.

In some embodiments, a second filtration or purification is performedafter the second reaction to remove such impurities as, for example,sodium ascorbate, sulfuric acid, manganese oxides, and manganese saltsand other salts.

In some embodiments, the purification comprises washing the rGO solutionwith de-ionized (DI) water (e.g., with copious amounts of DI water)until the conductivity of the rGO solution reaches about 50 microsiemensper centimeter (0/cm) or less. In some embodiments, the rGO solutioncontains about 4.95 kg of sodium ascorbate per kg of rGO and has aconductivity of greater than about 200 mS/cm. In some embodiments, forsome uses a specific concentration may be required for some processesthat use rGO, such as about 2% by weight or greater.

In some embodiments, the purification comprises tangential flowfiltering until the product has a pH of about 5. In some embodiments,the filter is a modified polyether sulfone hollow filter membrane withabout 0.02 micron pore size. The purified GO may then be concentrated toa solution of about 1% by weight.

In some embodiments, purification comprises vacuum filtration through,for example, a 2 micron 316 stainless steel mesh filter, wherein wateris flushed through the rGO to remove all salts. In some embodiments,Purification is complete when the rGO solution has a conductivity ofabout 50 μS/cm or less.

In some embodiments, the mixing speed or stirring rate (e.g., during oneor more reaction processes) is about 200 rpm. In some embodiments, themixing speed is at least about 100 rpm, 110 rpm, 120 rpm, 130 rpm, 140rpm, 150 rpm, 160 rpm, 170 rpm, 180 rpm, 190 rpm, or 200 rpm. In someembodiments, the mixing speed is between about 100 rpm and about 150rpm. In another embodiment, the mixing speed is between about 150 rpmand about 200 rpm.

In some embodiments, product synthesized when the first and secondreactions are performed below ambient reaction temperature show improvedcapacitance, wherein the methods thereby are safer and more controlled.In some embodiments, an ambient reaction temperature comprises areaction performed in room temperature surroundings without externalcooling. The reaction conditions include Rainbow Reactions (RR) that aretime variable reactions so named due to a spectrum of colors producedduring synthesis. In some embodiments, a first Rainbow Reaction RR 1, asecond Rainbow Reaction RR 2, and a third Rainbow reaction RR 3, or anycombination thereof, per FIG. 2, comprise ambient reactions. In someembodiments, below ambient reactions further increase productperformance and method stability and accuracy.

In one example a method for synthesizing a CBO or rCBO material, perFIG. 2, comprises the following time variable RRs:

-   -   RR 1) Forming a solution of graphite and concentrated sulfuric        acid at about 0° C. using ice bath or cooling coils.    -   RR 2) Adding KMnO₄ (exothermic) while maintain a reaction        temperature of below about 15° C. using an ice bath or cooling        coils.    -   RR 3) Stirring the reaction for about 45 minutes.    -   RR 4) Quenching the reaction by adding ice and/or 30% H₂O₂ to        the reaction mixture.    -   RR 5) Purifying the graphite oxide with one or more H₂O washes,        followed by about 1 week of continuous-flow dialysis.

In one example, the mass of the graphite is about 15 g, the volume ofthe concentrated sulfuric acid is about 750 mL, the mass of the KMnO₄ isabout 90 g, the mass of ice is at least about 2.6 g, and the volume ofH₂O₂ is at least about 75 mL. In some embodiments, the graphite isprovided in powder form. In an example, the total processing time isabout 1 week, and the total cost is about $21/kg of GO or rGO.

In some embodiments, the amount of oxidizing agent (also “oxidizer”herein) may be provided in terms of a ratio of oxidizing agent (KMnO₄)to graphite (also “Ox:Gr” herein). In one example, about 90 g KMnO₄ isused per 15 g graphite, corresponding to about 6× mass ratio Ox:Gr. Inanother example, about 75 mL 30% H₂O₂ (e.g., about 30% by weight inaqueous solution, corresponding to about 0.66 moles H₂O₂) is used (i)per 90 g KMnO₄, corresponding to about 0.25 units of H₂O₂ per unit ofKMnO₄ on a weight basis or about 1.16 units of H₂O₂ per unit of KMnO₄ ona molar basis, or (ii) per 750 mL concentrated sulfuric acid with aconcentration of between about 96% H₂SO₄ and 98% H₂SO₄ (e.g., by weightin aqueous solution), corresponding to a volume ratio of 30% H₂O₂ toconcentrated sulfuric acid of about 10:1 (e.g., about 1 liter of aqueoussolution having about 30% H₂O₂ for every 10 liters of concentratedH₂SO₄). In yet another example, about 50 liters of concentrated H₂SO₄ isconsumed for every 1 kilogram of graphite. Further examples of amountsand ratios are provided elsewhere herein, for example, in relation tomethods for producing single-layer GO and multi-layer GO (e.g., on a perkilogram graphite oxide basis).

In some embodiments, the stirring time may vary, wherein the 45 minuteswas selected based on the best measured sample. In some embodiments, thereaction temperature may vary with time according to specific coolingconditions (e.g., presence or absence of cooling by ice bath or coolingcoils).

In some embodiments, RR 5 comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (e.g., 5) ormore water washes. In some embodiments, the purification furthercomprises additional water purification processes, such as, for example,dialysis. In some embodiments, dialysis comprises placing the materialin a porous tube and removing (e.g., leaching out) ions from thematerial through the walls of the tube into a water bath that isrefreshed continuously or batch-wise. In some embodiments, the methodcomprises or further comprises one or more filtration methods other thandialysis (e.g., after the H₂O washes, another filtration method may beapplied in lieu of dialysis). In one example, the filtration processtakes less than about 1 week, wherein the duration of the filtration maydepend on batch size. For example, for a 15 g graphite batch, per above,filtration may take less than or equal to about 1 or 2 days. In oneexample, total filtration (e.g., dialysis) time may be less than orequal to about 7 days, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, 1 day, or½ day. In some embodiments, a shorter filtration time may reduce thetotal processing time to less than or equal to about 7 days, 6 days, 5days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, 1 day, or ½ day.

In some embodiments, all of the graphite is converted to a CBO or anrCBO material. In some embodiments, the quantity of the CBO or the rCBOmaterial that is produced per unit of graphite depends on the oxygencontent of the CBO and the rCBO materials. In some embodiments, theweight of the CBO or rCBO materials produced is greater than the weightof the consumed graphene by a factor of about 1 to about 3 (e.g., 1.27or 1.33). In some embodiments, the C:O atomic ratio of the CBO or therCBO material is about 4:1 and 5:1, wherein the C:O atomic ratio of theGO may differ for single-layer and multi-layer CBO and the rCBOmaterials (e.g., as described in relation to FIG. 9). Thus, in someembodiments the amount of GO produced per unit of graphite may differfor single-layer and multi-layer CBO or rCBO.

In some embodiments, the concentration of one or more of the reactantsvaries. In an example, the concentration of the sulfuric acid is betweenabout 96% and 98% by weight in aqueous solution. In some embodiments thequantity of H₂O₂ may be represented as a ratio between the mass of theH₂O₂ and the mass of the KMnO₄, which may affect the quantity of themanganese species within the CBO or rCBO. In other embodiments, theconcentrations and quantities of the reactants may be represented bymolar amounts. In some embodiments, employing concentrations of sulfuricacid below about 96% (e.g., by weight in aqueous solution) may alter themorphology of the CBO or rCBO, and/or reduce the concentration ofoxygen-containing groups.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 8 show characteristics of the CBO and rCBO. Per FIG.3, as the RR 1 reaction is self-heated (exothermic), extended RR 1reactions at higher temperatures synthesize CBO and rCBO materials withlower capacitances. Per FIG. 3, the capacitance of exemplary CBO andrCBO products are compared to their reaction temperature as functions ofreaction time (in hours) at a scan rate of 10 millivolts per second(mV/s).

In one example, it was determined that the greatest capacitance at 10mV/s and at 20 min of 49 mF/cm² occurs with a 6× Ox:Gr mass ratio and areaction time of 0-20 hours. In this example, the peak capacitance forRR 1 was measured for an ICCN formed by light-scribing the GO producedby the method of FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the peak capacitance forRR 1 of the unreduced GO is about the same as for the rGO (ICCN).

In some embodiments, per FIG. 4, shorter RR 2 reaction times led tohigher capacitances, by retaining a more pristine sp2 structure ofgraphene with less oxidative damage. In some embodiments, the term sp2is a hybridization of s, px, and py atomic orbitals to form a trigonalplanar molecular configuration with 120 degree angles. In someembodiments, the optimal RR2 reaction occurred with a 6× mass ratioOx:Gr, over 0-2 hours, which yielded a peak capacitance at about 10 mV/sand at about 15 minutes of about 87 mF/cm². In this example, the peakcapacitance for RR 2 was measured for an ICCN formed by light-scribingthe GO produced by the method of FIG. 2 with process #3 corresponding toRR 2. The peak capacitance for RR 2 of the unreduced GO is about thesame as for the rGO (ICCN).

In some embodiments, colder reaction temperatures in RR 3, per FIG. 5,enabled a greater window of opportunity to quench the reaction at theright time. In some embodiments, the optimal RR3 reaction occurred witha 6× mass ratio Ox:Gr, and a reaction time to yield a product with apeak capacitance in about 10 mV/s at about 45 min of about 459 mF/cm².In this example, the peak capacitance for RR 3 was measured for an ICCNformed by light-scribing the GO produced by the method of FIG. 2 withstep 3 corresponding to RR 2. The peak capacitance for RR 3 of theunreduced GO is about the same as for the rGO (ICCN).

In some embodiments, per FIG. 8, the use or the number of HCl washes inRR 5 may not have a significant effect on the capacitance of the CGO orthe rCGO, whereas a capacitance variation of about 11% among the numberof wash cycles, with no visible trend, was observed.

In some embodiments, optimal RR 5 conditions comprise a 6× mass ratioOx:Gr, ice bath cooling for 0-1 hour with or without the use of one ormore HCl washes, which achieved a peak capacitance at about 10 mV/s andabout 31 min of about 261 mF/cm². In this example, the peak capacitancefor RR 5 was measured for an ICCN formed by light-scribing the GOproduced by a modified version of the method in FIG. 2. In someembodiments, the peak capacitance for RR 5 of the unreduced GO is aboutthe same as for the rGO (ICCN).

In some embodiments, removal of HCl from the purification steps shows noloss of capacitance and significantly reduces the cost of the product,while expediting the purification procedure. Removal of HCl from thepurification steps may provide one or more (any combination, or all) ofthe aforementioned advantages.

Carbon-Based Oxide or Reduced Carbon-Based Oxide Materials

Any aspects of the disclosure described in relation to graphene mayequally apply to rGO (e.g., ICCN, or porous carbon sheet(s)) at least insome configurations, and vice versa. The rGO (e.g., graphene or ICCN)may be treated. In some embodiments, the rGO (e.g., ICCN) comprises atwo-dimensional (2-D) material (e.g., porous carbon sheet(s)) or athree-dimensional (3-D) material (e.g., ICCN). In some embodiments,primarily two-dimensional or three-dimensional materials may bedesirable for different applications and uses.

In some embodiments, an ICCN comprises a plurality of expanded andinterconnected carbon layers, wherein the term “expanded,” refers to aplurality of carbon layers that are expanded apart from one another,means that a portion of adjacent ones of the carbon layers are separatedby at least about 2 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments, at least aportion of adjacent carbon layers are separated by greater than or equalto about 2 nm, 3 nm, 4 nm, 5 nm, 6 nm, 7 nm, 8 nm, 9 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm,20 nm, 25 nm, 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70nm, 75 nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 95 nm, or 100 nm. In some embodiments,at least a portion of adjacent carbon layers are separated by less thanabout 3 nm, 4 nm, 5 nm, 6 nm, 7 nm, 8 nm, 9 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, 25nm, 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70 nm, 75nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 95 nm, or 100 nm. In some embodiments, at leasta portion of adjacent carbon layers are separated by between about 2 nmand 10 nm, 2 nm and 25 nm, 2 nm and 50 nm, or 2 nm and 100 nm. In someembodiments, the plurality of carbon layers has an electricalconductivity greater than about 0.1 siemens per meter (S/m). In someembodiments, each of the plurality of carbon layers is a two-dimensionalmaterial with only one carbon atom of thickness. In some embodiments,each of the expanded and interconnected carbon layers may comprise atleast one, or a plurality of corrugated carbon sheets that are each oneatom thick.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary illustration of various carbon forms 905, 910,915, 920, and 925, which may or may not comprise functional groups, andmay be employed to synthesize an array of carbon-based materials. Insome embodiments, a given carbon form comprises one or more hydroxyland/or epoxy functional groups 930, one or more carboxylic functionalgroups 935, one or more other functional groups (e.g., carbonylfunctional groups), or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the carbon form comprises graphite 905, wherein thegraphite comprises a plurality of carbon sheets 940 (e.g., greater thanor equal to about 100, 1,000, 10,000, 100,000, 1 million, 10 million,100 million, or more) that are each one atom thick. In some embodiments,the plurality of carbon sheets 940 are stacked on top of each other andstick together due to van der Waals interactions, such that the interiorof the stack is not accessible (e.g., only top and bottom sheets areaccessible). In some embodiments, the carbon form 910 comprisesgraphene, which comprises a carbon sheet 945 that is one atom thick, andmay comprise functional groups. In some embodiments, the carbon form 915comprises graphene oxide (e.g., singular graphite oxide in solution),which comprises a carbon sheet 950 that is one atom thick.

In some embodiments, one or more carbon forms 915 may agglomerate,wherein individual carbon sheets 960 are separated, or may remainseparated due to van der Waals interactions. In some embodiments, thecarbon form 915 includes one or more hydroxyl and/or epoxy functionalgroups 930, and one or more carboxylic functional groups 935, whereinthe hydroxyl and/or epoxy functional groups 930 are attached orotherwise associated with/bonded to the surfaces of the carbon sheet950. In some embodiments, the carboxylic functional groups 935 isattached or otherwise associated with or bonded to the edges of thecarbon sheet 950.

In some embodiments, the carbon form 920 comprises reduced grapheneoxide (e.g., PCS formed in solution), comprising a carbon sheet 955 thatis one atom thick. In some embodiments, the carbon form 920 comprisesone or more carboxylic functional groups 935 which are attached orotherwise associated with or bonded to the edges of the carbon sheet955.

In some embodiments, the carbon form 925 comprises two or more layers ofgraphene oxide (e.g., bilayer or trilayer graphite oxide in solution),wherein each carbon sheet or layer 960 is one atom thick, and whereinthe two or more carbon sheets or layers 960 are held together by van derWaals interactions. In some embodiments, the number layer graphene oxideis greater than or equal to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 carbon sheetsor layers 960 In some embodiments, the number layer graphene oxide isless than or equal to 10 carbon sheets or layers 960 (e.g., up to 10carbon sheets or layers). In some embodiments, the number layer grapheneoxide is between 2 and 3, 2 and 4, 2 and 5, 2 and 6, 2 and 7, 2 and 8, 2and 9, 2 and 10, 3 and 4, 3 and 5, 3 and 6, 3 and 7, 3 and 8, 3 and 9, 3and 10, 4 and 5, 4 and 6, 4 and 7, 4 and 8, 4 and 9, 4 and 10, 5 and 6,5 and 7, 5 and 8, 5 and 9, 5 and 10, 6 and 7, 6 and 8, 6 and 9, 6 and10, 7 and 8, 7 and 9, 7 and 10, 8 and 9, 8 and 10, or 9 and 10 carbonsheets or layers 960. In some embodiments, the number layer grapheneoxide is 2 and 4, or 2 and 3 carbon sheets or layers 960. In someembodiments, the number layer graphene oxide is up to 4 carbon sheets orlayers 960 In some embodiments, the number layer graphene oxide is 4carbon sheets or layers 960.

In some embodiments, the carbon form 925 includes one or more carboxylicfunctional groups 935, wherein the carboxylic functional groups 935 areattached or otherwise associated with or bonded to edges of the one ormore of the carbon sheets or layers 960. In some embodiments, thecarboxylic functional groups 935 are primarily attached or bonded to theedges of the top and bottom carbon sheets or layers 960 in a stack ofthe carbon sheets or layers 960. In some embodiments, the carboxylicfunctional groups 935 may be attached to or otherwise associatedwith/bonded to edges of any (e.g., each, or at least 2, 3, 4, or more)of the carbon sheets or layers 960.

In some embodiments, the presence and quantity of functional groupsimpacts the overall carbon to oxygen (C:O) atomic ratio of the carbonforms seen in FIG. 9. For example, the carbon forms 925 and 915 maydiffer in the amount and/or type of oxygen functionality. In anotherexample, the carbon form 925 may be produced upon oxidation of thecarbon form 905, and the carbon form 925 may in turn be further oxidizedto the carbon form 915. In some embodiments, each of the carbon forms inFIG. 9 may be produced via one or more pathways, and/or at least some ofthe carbon forms in FIG. 9 may be transformed between one another atleast in some implementations. For example, the carbon form 915 may beformed via an alternative pathway.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an example of another carbon form 1000comprising reduced graphite oxide. In some embodiments, the carbon form1000 comprises an interconnected corrugated carbon-based network (ICCN)comprising a plurality of expanded and interconnected carbon layers 1005that are interconnected and expanded apart from one another to form aplurality of pores 1010. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section of anexemplary ICCN that results from deoxygenating an rCBO.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an example of yet another carbon form1100 of reduced graphite oxide comprising an interconnected corrugatedcarbon-based network (ICCN) made up of a plurality of expanded andinterconnected carbon layers that include corrugated carbon layers suchas a single corrugated carbon sheet 1105. In some embodiments, each ofthe expanded and interconnected carbon layers comprises at least onecorrugated carbon sheet that is one atom thick. In another embodiment,each of the expanded and interconnected carbon layers comprise aplurality of corrugated carbon sheets that are each one atom thick. Insome embodiments, a single-layer GO comprises between about 93% and 96%(e.g., by weight) of singular graphene oxide (e.g., carbon form 915 inFIG. 9). In some embodiments, a multi-layer GO comprises a givendistribution (e.g., by weight) of number of layers (e.g., a distributionof carbon forms 925 with different numbers of layers). For example, amulti-layer GO may comprise greater than or equal to about 5%, 10%, 15%,25%, 50%, 75%, 85%, 90%, or 95% (e.g., by weight) of a carbon form 925with a given number of layers (e.g., 3 or 4). In other example, themulti-layer GO comprises a carbon form 925 by weight of between 5% and25%, 25% and 50%, 50% and 75%, and 75% and 95% with a given number oflayers. In some embodiments, the multi-layer GO comprises a percentagesof a carbon form 925 together with less than or equal to about 95%, 90%,75%, 50%, 25%, 15%, 10%, or 5% (e.g., by weight) of another carbon form925 with a different number of layers. In some embodiments, amulti-layer GO may comprise less than about 95%, 90%, 85%, 75%, 50%,25%, 15%, 10%, or 5% (e.g., by weight) of a carbon form 925 with a givennumber of layers. In some embodiments, the rGO comprises substantiallysp2 carbon, substantially non-sp2 carbon, or a mixture of sp2 carbon andnon-sp2 carbon.

In some embodiments, the CBO and/or the rCBO materials synthesized by amethod of the present disclosure exhibit a specific or minimum purity orgrade. In some embodiments, the purity or grade of a CBO or an rCBO(e.g., graphite oxide) is provided in terms of post-purification ionicconductivity.

In addition, the methods provide herein allow for adjustability of theelectrical conductivity, the number of layers of graphene oxide sheets,and the degree of oxidation of the CBO or the rCBO. In some embodiments,reaction conditions may be adjusted to synthesize two forms of CBOcomprising single-layer graphite oxide or multi-layer graphite oxide,wherein each form exhibits unique physicochemical properties and/orperformance characteristics such as conductivity or purity.

Graphite oxide may be used as a feedstock for production of graphene, aninterconnected corrugated carbon-based network (ICCN), wherein each ICCNcomprises a plurality of expanded and interconnected carbon layers,porous carbon sheets (PCS), or other materials derived from graphiteoxide reduced forms of graphite oxide (rGO) may comprisethree-dimensional (e.g., ICCN) forms of carbon, two-dimensional (e.g.,porous carbon sheet) forms of carbon, or a combination thereof (e.g., amaterial comprising both two- and three-dimensional forms of carbon). Insome embodiments, the rGO is porous.

In some embodiments, the CBO and rCBO materials produced by the methodsof the present disclosure exhibit a consistent, repeatable degree ofoxygen functionality, oxidation and exfoliation, which limits waterabsorption to allow the CBO and rCBO materials to be effectivelylight-scribed (e.g., laser-scribed). In some embodiments, a CBO (e.g.,graphite oxide) that is not properly oxidized and exfoliated absorbs toomuch water, the water may absorb a substantial amount of energy toinhibit the CBO's ability to be effectively light-scribed (e.g.,laser-scribed), For example, an over-oxidized graphite oxide maycomprise an excessive amount and/or unsuitable types of oxygenfunctionality that allow an excessive amount of water to be absorbed.

In some embodiments, an ICCN is produced from light-scribing (e.g.,laser-scribing) carbon-based films such as those formed of graphiteoxide. In some embodiments, rGO produces a highly conductive and highsurface area laser-scribed graphene (LSG) framework that is a form ofICCN. In some embodiments, forming an ICCN (e.g., a porous ICCN)comprises disposing a solution comprising CBO and a liquid onto asubstrate, evaporating the liquid from the solution to form the film,and exposing the film to light. In some embodiments, the light sourcecomprises a laser, a flash lamp, or other high intensity light sources,wherein the light has an intensity of about 5 milliwatts to about 350milliwatts. In some embodiments, the GO produced by the method disclosedherein is not light-scribed.

In some embodiments, the ICCN comprises an expanded interconnectednetwork of carbon layers, and exhibits a high surface area andelectrical conductivity. In some embodiments, the ICCN has a surfacearea of greater than or equal to about 500 square meters per gram(m²/g), 1000 m²/g, 1400 m²/g, 1500 m²/g, 1750 m²/g, or 2000 m²/g. Insome embodiments, the ICCN has a surface area of between about 100 m²/gand 1500 m²/g, 500 m²/g and 2000 m²/g, 1000 m²/g and 2500 m²/g, or 1500m²/g and 2000 m²/g. In some embodiments, the ICCN exhibits an electricalconductivity of greater than or equal to about 1500 S/m, 1600 S/m, 1650S/m, 1700 S/m, 1750 S/m, 1800 S/m, 1900 S/m, or 2000 S/m. In oneembodiment, the ICCN exhibits an electrical conductivity of greater thanabout 1700 S/m and a surface area that is greater than about 1500 m²/g.In another embodiment, the ICCN exhibits an electrical conductivity ofabout 1650 S/m and a surface area of about 1520 m²/g. In someembodiments, the reduction of GO forms rGO, wherein the rGO exhibits ahigher conductivity that is more suitable for light-scribing.

In some embodiments, the ICCN has a very low oxygen content of only3.5%. In some embodiments, the oxygen content of the ICCN ranges betweenabout 1% and 5%, 1% and 4%, 1% and 3%, 1% and 2%, 0% and 1%, 0% and 2%,0% and 3%, 0% and 4%, 0% and 5%, 2% and 3%, 2% and 4%, 2% and 5%, 3% and4%, 3% and 5%, or 4% and 5%. In some embodiments, an ICCN may have anoxygen content of less than or equal to about 5%, 4.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3%,2.5%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, or 0.5%. In some embodiments, the oxygen contents ismeasured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (e.g., in atomicpercent). In some embodiments, the ICCN exhibits a low oxygen content, ahigh surface area, and a suitable (e.g., not too high and not too low)electrical conductivity, including any combination of the aforementionedoxygen contents, surface areas, and electrical conductivities.

In some embodiments, one or more porous carbon sheets (PCS) may beformed from GO or rGO. In some embodiments, the rGO is dispersible in avariety of solutions. In some embodiments, PCS is formed by throughchemical reduction in solution. In some embodiments, the PCS has anoxygen content of less than or equal to about 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%,4.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, or 0.5%. In some embodiments,the PCS has a pore size of less than or equal to about 10 nanometers(nm), 9 nm, 8 nm, 7 nm, 6 nm, 5 nm, 4 nm, 3 nm, 2 nm, or 1 nm. In someembodiments, the PCS has a pore size of greater than or equal to about 1nm. In some embodiments, the PCS has a pore size of between about 1 nmand 2 nm, 1 nm and 3 nm, 1 nm and 4 nm, 1 nm and 5 nm, 1 nm and 6 nm, 1nm and 7 nm, 1 nm and 8 nm, 1 nm and 9 nm, 1 nm and 10 nm, 2 nm and 3nm, 2 nm and 4 nm, 2 nm and 5 nm, 2 nm and 6 nm, 2 nm and 7 nm, 2 nm and8 nm, 2 nm and 9 nm, 2 nm and 10 nm, 3 nm and 4 nm, 3 nm and 5 nm, 3 nmand 6 nm, 3 nm and 7 nm, 3 nm and 8 nm, 3 nm and 9 nm, 3 nm and 10 nm, 4nm and 5 nm, 4 nm and 6 nm, 4 nm and 7 nm, 4 nm and 8 nm, 4 nm and 9 nm,4 nm and 10 nm, 4 nm and 5 nm, 4 nm and 6 nm, 4 nm and 7 nm, 4 nm and 8nm, 4 nm and 9 nm, 5 nm and 10 nm, 6 nm and 7 nm, 6 nm and 8 nm, 6 nmand 9 nm, 6 nm and 10 nm, 7 nm and 8 nm, 7 nm and 9 nm, 7 nm and 10 nm,8 nm and 9 nm, 8 nm and 10 nm, or 9 nm and 10 nm. In some embodiments,the PCS has a pore size between about 1 nm and 4 nm, or 1 nm and 10 nm.The PCS may have one or more pore sizes (e.g., the PCS may have adistribution of such pore sizes).

In some embodiments, the GO may not need to be reduced, wherein thecapacitance and/or conductivity of the unreduced GO may be substantiallythe same as that of the rGO (e.g., ICCN) because in some instances onlythe edges of the graphite are oxidized while the internal materialmaintains a large portion of the conductive properties of graphene(e.g., see carbon form 925 in FIG. 9). In some embodiments, GO and rGOproduced by the methods herein may exhibit a similar degree of oxidationwhen oxidized (e.g., from the carbon form 905) to the carbon form 925.In some embodiments, the GO's properties are substantially the same asor similar to rGO produced from one or more of the oxidized carbon formsin FIG. 9 (e.g., substantially the same as or similar to rGO producedfrom the carbon form 925). In other embodiments, the conductivity of theGO or the rGO is between 0.1 S/m and 0.5 S/m, 0.5 S/m and 1 S/m, 1 S/mand 10 S/m, 10 S/m and 100 S/m, 100 S/m and 500 S/m, 500 S/m and 1000S/m, 1000 S/m and 1700 S/m.

In some embodiments, further oxidation of GO alters its properties,wherein for example, further oxidizing the carbon form 925 to the carbonform 915, forms a product that is dissimilar from an rGO. For example, adevice per FIG. 7A comprising a GO oxidized to the carbon form 925(e.g., comprising a few layer graphene oxide having 3 to 5 carbon sheetsor layers 960) may have substantially the same performance as the devicein FIG. 7A. However, for example, the same device may or may not havesubstantially the same performance as the device in FIG. 7A when furtheroxidized to the carbon form 915.

In some embodiments, a double-layer device comprising at least oneelectrode comprising an unreduced or a reduced GO formed by the methodprovided herein has a capacitance (e.g., a peak capacitance) of greaterthan or equal to about 1 mF/cm², 2 mF/cm², 3 mF/cm², 4 mF/cm², 5 mF/cm²,6 mF/cm², 7 mF/cm², 8 mF/cm², 9 mF/cm², 10 mF/cm², 15 mF/cm², 20 mF/cm²,25 mF/cm², 30 mF/cm², 40 mF/cm², 50 mF/cm², 60 mF/cm², 70 mF/cm², 80mF/cm², 90 mF/cm², 100 mF/cm², 110 mF/cm², 120 mF/cm², 130 mF/cm², 140mF/cm², 150 mF/cm², 160 mF/cm², 170 mF/cm², 180 mF/cm², 190 mF/cm², 200mF/cm², 210 mF/cm², 220 mF/cm², 230 mF/cm², 240 mF/cm², 250 mF/cm², 260mF/cm², 270 mF/cm², 280 mF/cm², 290 mF/cm², 300 mF/cm², 310 mF/cm², 320mF/cm², 330 mF/cm², 340 mF/cm², 350 mF/cm², 360 mF/cm², 370 mF/cm², 380mF/cm², 390 mF/cm², 400 mF/cm², 410 mF/cm², 420 mF/cm², 430 mF/cm², 440mF/cm², 450 mF/cm², 460 mF/cm², 470 mF/cm², 480 mF/cm², 490 mF/cm², 500mF/cm², 550 mF/cm², 600 mF/cm², 650 mF/cm², 700 mF/cm², 750 mF/cm², 800mF/cm², or more. In some embodiments, a double-layer device comprisingat least one electrode comprising the unreduced or reduced GO formed bythe method provided herein has a capacitance of greater than or equal tobetween 1 mF/cm² and 10 mF/cm², 10 mF/cm² and 100 mF/cm², 100 mF/cm² and500 mF/cm², and 500 mF/cm² and 1000 mF/cm². In some embodiments, adouble-layer device comprising at least one electrode comprising theunreduced or reduced GO formed by the method provided herein has aconductivity of greater than or equal to about 0.1 siemens per meter(S/m), 0.5 S/m, 1 S/m, 10 S/m, 15 S/m, 25 S/m, 50 S/m, 100 S/m, 200 S/m,300 S/m, 400 S/m, 500 S/m, 600 S/m, 700 S/m, 800 S/m, 900 S/m, 1,000S/m, 1,100 S/m, 1,200 S/m, 1,300 S/m, 1,400 S/m, 1,500 S/m, 1,600 S/m,or 1,700 S/m. As such, the GO may therefore be used in a device such as,for example, a double-layer device, both before and after (e.g., seeFIG. 7A) reduction. The performance of the two materials in, forexample, a double-layer device may be substantially the same.

In some embodiments, the conductivity, the surface area, or the C:Oratio, of the CBO or rCBO is measured by methylene blue absorption.

Devices Comprising Carbon-Based Oxides and Reduced Carbon-Based Oxides

In some embodiments, the methods described herein synthesize CBO andrCBO materials capable of forming high performance double-layercapacitors, the areal capacitance of which is at least about 228 mF/cm²,wherein current methods may only be capable of forming double-layercapacitors, the areal capacitance of which is about 4.04 mF/cm². Assuch, the methods described herein are capable of synthesizing CBO andrCBO materials which are capable of forming double-layer capacitors witha greater capacitance (e.g., at least about 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 times greater) than that formed by the CBO orrCBO materials formed by current methods.

The performance characteristics of an exemplary double-layer device(double-layer capacitor) was constructed from the CBO formed by themethod provided herein (RR 3 at 45 min) are shown in FIG. 6 and TABLE 1.

TABLE 1 Scan Rate (mV/s) Capacitance (mF) Specific Capacitance (F/g) 10229 265 20 192 223 40 159 185 60 140 164 100 118 137

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan at a scan rateof 1,000 mV/s of a double-layer capacitor with electrodes comprisinglight-scribed rGO (ICCN) produced by the methods provided herein. FIG.7B shows an exemplary cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan at a scan rate of1,000 mV/s of a double-layer capacitor with electrodes comprisinglight-scribed GO materials, and non-light-scribed GO materials. As a CVscan of the exemplary device comprising electrodes formed of anunreduced GO synthesized by the methods disclosed herein (not shown) isessentially equivalent to the CV scan of the light-scribed rGO (ICCN)produced by the methods provided, per FIG. 7A, the effects oflight-scribing may be insubstantial. In contrast, light-scribing altersthe performance characteristics of the exemplary GO materials, per FIG.7B. In some embodiments, the light-scribed rGO (ICCN) produced by themethods provided herein exhibit a capacitance at 1000 mV/s that is atleast about 35 times greater than a capacitance of the light-scribed GOmaterials, and non-light-scribed GO materials.

FIG. 12 is a particle distribution chart of an exemplary CBO, perembodiments described herein. FIG. 13 is an X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)graph of an exemplary CBO, per embodiments described herein. FIG. 14 isan X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) graph of an exemplary CBO, perembodiments described herein. FIG. 15 is a particle size distributionchart of an exemplary rCBO, per embodiments described herein. FIG. 16 isa Raman spectra of an exemplary rCBO, per embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments, exemplary sheets of GO material, per FIG. 17, areformed by drop-casting the GO material onto a silicon wafer, drying theGO material and the wafer for a period of time of about 12 hours, andcoating the dried GO material with a thin layer of silicon dioxide(SiO₂). The exemplary optical microscope images in FIG. 17 of the deviceformed thereby display the lateral size distribution of the GO sheets.Low and high magnification scanning electron microscope (SEM) image ofan exemplary GO material on a silicon wafer, coated with SiO₂ are showin FIGS. 18A and 18B, respectively.

Applications for Carbon-Based Oxide or Reduced Carbon-Based OxideMaterials

The CBO and rCBO materials described in the present disclosure may beused in a variety of applications including but not limited to:supercapacitors, batteries, energy storage device, catalysts, structuralmaterials, water filtration, batteries, drug delivery, hydrogen storage,conductive inks, electronics, cars, aerospace technologies, inkjetprinting, screen printing, printed circuit boards, radio frequencyidentification chips, smart fabrics, conductive coatings, gravureprinting, flexographic printing, anti-static coatings, electrodes,electromagnetic interference shielding, printed transistors, memory,sensors, large area heaters, thermoelectric materials, lubricant, andthermal management systems.

In some embodiments, CBO and rCBO materials form reinforcements forpolymers and oxides. In some embodiments, fibers formed from CBO andrCBO materials exhibit strong electrical and mechanical properties andserve as an alternative for carbon fibers currently used in car andaerospace industries. CBO and rCBO materials may be used in thefabrication of highly selective membranes that enable high flux ratesand reduced energy consumption in filtering processes. CBO and rCBOelectrodes may provide energy storage devices with high energycapacities. In some embodiments, CBO and rCBO materials exhibit may formsupercapacitors with very high surface areas and capacitances. The watersolubility and biocompatibility of some CBO and rCBO materials may formdrug carrying devices. Finally, CBO and rCBO materials may be capable ofefficiently storing hydrogen effectively.

Terms and Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Asused in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended toencompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.

As used herein, and unless otherwise defined, the term “about” refers toa range of values within plus and/or minus 10% of the specified value.

As used herein, and unless otherwise defined, the term “graphite oxide”and “graphene oxide” are used interchangeably. In some instances,graphite oxide and graphene oxide are collectively referred to herein as“GO.” For the purpose of this disclosure, the terms “reduced graphiteoxide” and “reduced graphene oxide” are used interchangeably. In someinstances, reduced graphite oxide and reduced graphene oxide arecollectively referred to herein as “rGO.”

As used herein, and unless otherwise defined, the term “CBO” and “rCBO”refer to a carbon-based oxide and a reduced carbon-based oxide,respectively.

While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the disclosure. It should beunderstood that various alternatives to the embodiments of thedisclosure described herein may be employed in practicing thedisclosure. It is intended that the following claims define the scope ofthe disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing a carbon-based oxidematerial comprising: forming a first solution comprising graphite and anacid; cooling the first solution to a first temperature; adding a firstoxidizing agent to the first solution to form a second solution; andquenching the second solution to a second temperature to form acarbon-based oxide material.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the acidcomprises perchloric acid, hydroiodic acid, hydrobromic acid,hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,methanesulfonic acid, or any combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the mass of the acid is greater than the mass of the graphiteby a factor of about 30 to about
 180. 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first temperature is about −20° C. to about 30° C.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first oxidizing agent comprises oxygen, ozone,hydrogen peroxide, fluorite dioxide, lithium peroxide, barium peroxide,fluorine, chlorine, nitric acid, nitrate compounds, sulfuric acid,peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, chlorite, chlorate,perchlorate, halogen compounds hypochlorite, hypohalite compounds,household bleach, hexavalent chromium compounds, chromic acids,dichromic acids, chromium trioxide, pyridinium chlorochromate, chromatecompounds, dichromate compounds, permanganate compounds, potassiumpermanganate, sodium perborate, nitrous oxide, potassium nitrate, sodiumbismuthate, or any combination thereof, and wherein the mass of thefirst oxidizing agent is greater than the mass of the graphite by afactor of about 1.5 to about
 12. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst oxidizing agent is added to the first solution over a period oftime of about 15 minutes to about 180 minutes.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein a temperature of the second solution during the addition of thefirst oxidizing agent is less than about 30° C.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising allowing the second solution to react at a thirdtemperature over a first period of time wherein the third temperature isabout 10° C. to about 70° C., and wherein the first period of time isabout 15 minutes to about 120 minutes.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe second solution is quenched to the second temperature by an icebath, a water bath, one or more cooling coils, ice, water, by adding asecond oxidizing agent to the second solution, or any combinationthereof, and wherein the second temperature is about 25° C. to about 75°C.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein quenching the second solutionoccurs over a period of time of about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes.11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second oxidizing agent comprisesoxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, fluorite dioxide, lithium peroxide,barium peroxide, fluorine, chlorine, nitric acid, nitrate compounds,sulfuric acid, peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, chlorite,chlorate, perchlorate, halogen compounds hypochlorite, hypohalitecompounds, household bleach, hexavalent chromium compounds, chromicacids, dichromic acids, chromium trioxide, pyridinium chlorochromate,chromate compounds, dichromate compounds, permanganate compounds,potassium permanganate, sodium perborate, nitrous oxide, potassiumnitrate, sodium bismuthate, or any combination thereof, and wherein amass of the second oxidizing agent is greater than the mass of thegraphite by a factor of about 1.5 to about
 6. 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising agitating at least one of the first solution, and thesecond solution for a period of time of about 45 minutes to about 360minutes.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing thesecond solution to react for a period of time of about 15 minutes toabout 120 minutes after the second solution is quenched, wherein thesecond solution during reaction has a temperature that is about 15° C.to about 75° C.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising purifyingthe second solution, purifying the second solution comprises filteringthe carbon-based oxide material through a filter and concentrating thecarbon-based oxide material.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein thecarbon-based oxide material is filtered until its pH is about 3 to about7.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a thirdsolution comprising the carbon-based oxide material and a thirdoxidizing agent; heating the third solution to a fourth temperature fora period of time; and adding a mineral ascorbate to the third solutionto form a reduced carbon-based oxide material.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein heating the carbon-based oxide material to the fourthtemperature, and adding a first quantity of the third oxidizing agent tothe carbon-based oxide material, occur simultaneously.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the fourth temperature is about 45° C. to about 180°C., and wherein heating the third solution to a fourth temperatureoccurs over a period of time of about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes.19. The method of claim 16, wherein the third oxidizing agent comprisesoxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, fluorite dioxide, lithium peroxide,barium peroxide, fluorine, chlorine, nitric acid, nitrate compounds,sulfuric acid, peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, chlorite,chlorate, perchlorate, halogen compounds hypochlorite, hypohalitecompounds, household bleach, hexavalent chromium compounds, chromicacids, dichromic acids, chromium trioxide, pyridinium chlorochromate,chromate compounds, dichromate compounds, permanganate compounds,potassium permanganate, sodium perborate, nitrous oxide, potassiumnitrate, sodium bismuthate, or any combination thereof, and wherein themass of a second quantity of the third oxidizing agent is greater thanthe mass of the graphite by a factor of about 1.1 to about
 6. 20. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the mineral ascorbate comprises sodiumascorbate, calcium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate,or any combination thereof.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the massof the mineral ascorbate is greater than the mass of the graphite by afactor of about 2 to about
 10. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein themineral ascorbate is added to the third solution over a period of timeof about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes.
 23. The method of claim 16,further comprising allowing the third solution and the mineral ascorbateto react for a period of time of about 45 minutes to about 180 minutes.24. The method of claim 16, further comprising agitating the thirdsolution for a period of time of about 45 minutes to about 360 minutes.25. The method of claim 16, further comprising purifying the reducedcarbon-based oxide material, wherein purifying the reduced carbon-basedoxide material comprises filtering with a second filter, flushing thethird solution, or any combination thereof.
 26. The method of claim 16,capable of producing a throughput of carbon-based oxide material ofabout 0.1 pound/day to about 50 pounds/day.